Mh. Alhamood et al., SEXUAL-MATURATION AND FERTILITY OF MALE AND FEMALE MICE EXPOSED PRENATALLY AND POSTNATALLY TO TRIVALENT AND HEXAVALENT CHROMIUM COMPOUNDS, Reproduction, fertility and development, 10(2), 1998, pp. 179-183
The reproductive toxicity of trivalent and hexavalent chromium compoun
ds was investigated in male and female mice exposed to 1000 ppm chromi
um chloride and potassium dichromate via their mother during gestation
al and lactational periods. Fertility was reduced in male offspring ex
posed to either trivalent or hexavalent chromium compounds. Body weigh
ts and weights of testes, seminal vesicles and preputial glands were r
educed in trivalent-exposed male offspring. The exposure of female mic
e offspring to trivalent and hexavalent chromium compounds delayed sex
ual maturation. Fertility was reduced in female offspring exposed to e
ither trivalent or hexavalent chromium compounds. The exposure of fema
le mice to hexavalent chromium compound reduced the number of implanta
tions and viable fetuses respectively. Body weight and weights of ovar
ies and uteri were reduced in trivalent-exposed female offspring. The
results indicate that under our experimental conditions, the exposure
of male and female mice offspring to either trivalent or hexavalent ch
romium compounds during gestational and lactational periods impair rep
roductive functions and fertility in adulthood.