Toxic effects of citrinin on the male reproductive system in mice

This study investigated the effects of citrinin (CTN) on male mouse reproductive organs. Adult male mice were exposed to intraperitoneal injection of CTN at 0–6.25 mg/kg body weight daily for 7 days, and then mated with sexually mature untreated female mice. Reproductive organ relative weights, semen quality, serum testosterone concentrations and fertility of treated mice were assessed. CTN significantly increased relative weights of the testes, epididymis, seminal vesicle and preputial gland, increased the number of abnormal spermatozoa and decreased the number of live spermatozoa. A significantly lower pregnancy rate was observed when females were mated with CTN-exposed males. The histological results indicated that distance of testicular seminiferus tubule increased. The sperm count and serum testosterone concentrations were significantly reduced in a dose-dependent manner in mice treated with CTN. The results suggest that CTN has adverse effects on the reproductive system of adult male mice.