Reproductive effects of endosulfan on male offspring of rats exposed during pregnancy and lactation.

1. The reproductive effects of endosulfan on the male offspring of rats were examined. Dams were treated orally with 0, 1.5 or 3.0 mg endosulfan/kg from day 15 of pregnancy to postnatal day (PND) 21 of lactation. The male offspring rats were investigated at PND 65 or 140, corresponding to the pubertal and adulthood stage of development. 2. The dose of 3.0 mg endosulfan/kg induced a decrease in maternal body weight during pregnancy, but litter size and mean birth weight were not affected. Similarly, the age at testis descent and preputial separation was not affected on the male offspring. 3. The daily sperm production (x10(6)) was permanently decreased in the highest dose group when investigated at puberty and at adulthood. At the lowest dose, however, the daily sperm production was significantly reduced only at puberty. 4. Histologically, the percentage of seminiferous tubules showing complete spermatogenesis was significantly decreased at puberty. This finding may explain the decrease in daily sperm production observed in the endosulfan-exposed male rats. 5. The results of this study show that low doses of endosulfan have no apparent effect on developmental landmarks or on the weight of reproductive and accessory sex organ. Daily sperm production was the most susceptible endpoint in the male offspring exposed to endosulfan during pregnancy and lactation. To further understand the reproductive effects of endosulfan on male rat offspring, additional reproductive and toxicokinetic studies should be carried out to determine the extent of endosulfan exposure in male rat offspring in utero and during lactation.