Histopathological evidence that spermatogonia are the target cells of 2-bromopropane

To confirm the target cell of 2-bromopropane within the testis, 1355 mg/kg of 2-bromopropane was subcutaneously injected to rats for 1-5 days and the numbers of spermatogonia and spermatocytes were examined 6 h after each las t injection. The number of stage I spermatogonia decreased after the first 2-bromopropane injection and the number of spermatogonia at the other stage s also decreased following repetitive injection. The number of these sperma togonia decreased further by the repetition of 2-bromopropane injection. In addition, the delay in mitotic division of type B spermatogonia was freque ntly observed after the fifth 2-bromopropane injection. The number of stage I pachytene spermatocytes also decreased slightly after the first 2-bromop ropane injection, although it did not decrease further following repetitive injection. Therefore, we concluded that spermatogonia are the target cells of 2-bromopropane in rats. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All righ ts reserved.