Reproductive toxicity evaluation of vanadium in male mice.

The reproductive toxicity of vanadium was studied in mice. Male Swiss mice were exposed to sodium metavanadate at doses of 0, 20, 40, 60, and 80 mg/kg per day given in the drinking water for 64 days. To evaluate the fertility of the vanadium-treated animals, males were mated with untreated females for 4 days. A significant decrease in the pregnancy rate was observed at 60 and 80 mg/kg per day of sodium. metavanadate. However, metavanadate did not reduce fertility in male mice at 20 and 40 mg/kg per day. Reproductive toxicity was measured by sperm count, sperm motility, organ weights, and histologic evaluation of the testes. Decreased body and epididymis weight was only observed in the 80 mg/kg per day group, while testicular weights were not altered by the treatment with all doses used. Sperm count was significantly decreased at 40, 60, and 80 mg/kg per day, but the sperm motility was unaffected. Histopathological examination revealed that the testes were normal and that the epididymis of treated male mice contained normal appearing sperm. The no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) was 40 mg/kg per day. Consequently, vanadium would not cause any adverse effect on fertility or testicular function in male mice at the concentrations usually ingested by humans through the diet and drinking water.