Chromium mapping in male mice reproductive glands exposed to CrCl3 using proton and X-ray synchrotron radiation microbeams

Preconception exposure to certain chemicals may increase risk of tumors in offspring, especially with regard to occupational metals such as chromium. However, the mechanism of chromium trans-generation carcinogenicity remains unknown. Using scanning proton X-ray microanalysis we have been able to de tect chromium in testicular tissue sections from mice treated by intraperit oneal injection of I mmol/kg CrCl3. Chromium concentration was about 5 mug/ g dry mass in average, but higher concentrations were found within the limi ting membrane of the testes, the tunica albuginea. In addition, synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence measurements, with microscopic resolution, cl early demonstrated the presence of chromium in the tunica albuginea but als o within isolated cells from the interstitial connective tissue. (C) 2001 E lsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.