In vitro toxic effects of metal compounds on kinetic traits and ultrastructure of rabbit spermatozoa

Metal compounds have been associated with male reproductive toxicity in vivo. The aim of the present study was to investigate the in vitro effects of 20 metal compounds using rabbit ejaculated spermatozoa as a study model for spermiotoxicity. Five of the metals tested (arsenic, cadmium, chromium, mercury and vanadium) reduced sperm motility and curvilinear velocity. Ultrastructural analyses revealed three types of damage to sperm head membranes in relation to the metal used: acrosome breakage with formation of various sized microvesicles (arsenic, cadmium, mercury and platinum); a large round hole (arsenic, cadmium and chromium), and numerous folds in the acrosome membrane (vanadium). The vanadium compound, followed by chromium and mercury compounds, determined a higher number of damaged spermatozoa. In conclusion, all the studied metal compounds, at levels higher than 1 μM, may reduce sperm kinetic characteristics and probably fertilizing capacity by triggering specific morphological damages to the head and/or by inhibiting motility.