Effects of Fetal Exposure to Asian Sand Dust on Development and Reproduction in Male Offspring

In recent experimental studies, we reported the aggravating effects of Asian sand dust ( ASD) on male reproductionin mice. However, the effects of fetal ASDexposure on male reproductionhave not been investigated. The present study investigated the effects of fetal ASDexposure on reproductionin male offspring. Using pregnant CD-1 mice, ASDwas administered intratracheally on days 7 and 14 of gestation, and the reproductionof male offspring was determined at 5, 10, and 15 weeks after birth. The secondary sex ratio was significantly lower in the fetal ASD-exposed mice than in the controls. Histologic examination showed partial vacuolation of seminiferous tubulesin immature mice. Moreover, daily sperm production (DSP) was significantly less in the fetal ASD-exposed mice than in the controls. DSP in the fetal ASD-exposed mice was approximately 10% less than the controls at both 5 and 10 weeks. However, both the histologic changes and the DSP decrease were reversed as the mice matured. These findings suggest that ASDexposure affects both the fetal development and the reproductionof male offspring. In the future, it will be necessary to clarify the onset mechanisms of ASD-induced male fetus death and male reproductivedisorders.