Objective To study possible damages of ultraviolet-B (UVB) to reproductive system of mice.
Methods Thirty-six male mice were randomized into 3 groups:control group, 2 h irradiated group and 3h irradiated group, each with 12 animals. The mice were sacrificed after 30 days of UVB irradiation (285 nm) and measured testicle to body weight ratio, sperm motility and malformation rates, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and recorded pathological changes.
Results Compared with the control group, the body weights and the testicle to body weight ratios of the two irradiated groups were significantly declined (P < 0.01); the sperm motility rates were significantly declined (P < 0.05); the sperm malformation rates were increased but not significantly (P > 0.05). The pathological changes in the testis samples showed:interstitial tissues swelled and were separated from convoluted tubules; spermatogenic epitheliums were loosely-arranged and fell into the tubules; tubules were narrowed; and the counts of sperm decreased. The damage in the 3 h irradiated group was more obvious. UVB radiation significantly and dose-dependently decreased SOD activity and raised MDA content in radiation groups as compared with the control group (P < 0.01).
Conclusion Radiation of UVB could decrease body weight and testicle to body weight ratio, cause pathological changes in the testis of mice, degrade SOD activity, raise MDA content, but couldn't affect sperm formation obviously. These injuries are possible results of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by UVB irradiation indirectly.
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