Research On The Effects Of Toluene On The Reproductive Toxicity Of Female Mouse

Toluene, a very important industrial raw material is widely used recently; in the mean time its reproductive toxicity got more caution. In this study, radioimmunoassay was applied to investigate adverse effect of toluene on male reproductive system and possible mechanism.KM mice were chosen for this experiment. male mice 80 and female mice 180 were randomly divided into negative control group (NC), toluene experimental groups and positive control group (PC) and exposure doses for experimental group were 312.5mg/m3 (1/80LC50), 625 mg/m3 (1/40LC50), 1250 mg/m3 (1/20LC50), 2500 mg/m3 (1/10LC50), 5000 mg / m3 (1/5LC50), 10000 mg/m3 (1/2.5LC50),. Each group had 6 male mice and 24 female mice (12 female mice for PC group). Female mice in exposure groups were treated via static inhalation, 2h/d for 12 consecutive weeks. FSH, LH and MDA level and SOD activity were then assayed. Micronucleus rate in fetal mouse liver polychromatic erythrocytes, offspring abnormality, estrous cycle and ovarian cell cycle phase changes were also studied.Results demonstrated: 1. after long-term toluene exposure, compared with control group, FSH and LH level in high does group decreased significantly (p<0.05); FSH and LH level in high does group decreased compared with low does group. The difference was significant (p<0.05). These suggested toluene posed effect on the neurohumoral regulation, disturbing the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian axis normal feedback processes which affect the development and maturation of the egg. 2. As exposure dose increased, mice ovarian tissue oxidative stress was induced rendering SOD activity increased first then decreased, MDA level decreased first then increased suggesting oxidative damage occurred in ovarian after long-term toluene exposure. 3. As exposure dose increased, micronucleus rate of fetal mouse liver polychromatic erythrocytes showed increase trend, but no significant difference was observed suggesting that toluene might have no adverse effect on genetic material in fetal mouse. 4. Estrous cycle was relatively regular in control group but extended in exposure groups characterized by shortened estrus. This suggested that estrous cycle was inhibited after toluene exposure specially high does group which hinted that vaginal epithelial cells under the regulation of hormone changed abnormally. 5. Female ovarian cell cycle changed characterized by prolonged G0/G1, shortened S. this suggested ovarian cell proliferation was inhibited as a result of the effect toluene exposed on the proliferation and differentiation of ovarian cells. 6. Compared with control group, luteal cells increased obviously suggesting that after toluene exposure, follicle started ovulation before maturely developed. 7, no appearance or bone morphology abnormality was observed suggesting that under long-term exposure of this dosage, toluene won't have significant effect on the development of the offspring.