Testicular toxicity and alterations of glutathione metabolism resulting from chronic inhalation of ethylene oxide in rats.

Wistar male rats were exposed to ethylene oxide (EtO) at a concentration of 500 ppm, 6 hr a day, 3 days a week, for 2, 4, 6, or 13 weeks. Testicular toxicity and changes in glutathione metabolism in the testis were investigated. The relative weights of the testes and the epididymes of the EtO-exposed group decreased in a time-dependent manner. Light microscopic examination revealed degeneration and exfoliation of germ cells. Although the severity of damage became apparent over the course of exposure, some seminiferous tubules showed germ cell recovery at 13 weeks compared with 6 weeks. There was no alteration in plasma testosterone concentration. Glutathione reductase (GR) activity decreased during the entire examination period, and recovery from the decrease was not achieved by addition of flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD). On the other hand, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity decreased at 2 weeks, and then increased at 6 and 13 weeks. In spite of alterations in the glutathione redox cycle, the level of reduced glutathione (GSH) in the testes was not affected. Glutathione S-transferase activity, measured with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) as substrate, increased at 6 and 13 weeks and, measured with 1,2-epoxy-3-(p-nitrophenoxy)propane, increased at 4, 6, and 13 weeks. These data indicate that chronic inhalation of EtO induces testicular atrophy. Alterations in the glutathione redox cycle and glutathione S-transferase activity might play important roles in the toxicity and the detoxifying mechanism of the testis.