Manganese induced testicular changes in monkeys

Abstract

Oral administration of manganese chloride (25 mg/kg b. w. daily) to monkeys for a period of 18 months produced congestion and marked increase in weight of testis. Histopathologic examination revealed interstitial oedema and degeneration of seminiferous tubules. Activities of succinic dehydrogenase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and acid phosphatase were significantly inhibited whereas NADH-diaphorase and alkaline phosphatase activities showed only slight inhibition in seminiferous tubules of treated monkeys. It was concluded that chronic exposure to manganese does not produce severe degenerative changes in the testis earlier than metal induced encephalopathy in primates.