OBJECTIVE:

Acrylamide is a chemically reactive substance used in various industries. Recently, the discovery of acrylamide in a variety of human foods including heat-processed starchy foods such as potato chips and bread has been reported. Acrylamide is also known as a carcinogen and cytotoxic material. The aim of this study was to evaluate the detrimental effects of acrylamide on membrane integrity and sperm parameters in mice.

STUDY DESIGN:

This experimental study was conducted on thirty male NMRI mice, aged 8-10 weeks and weighing 25-30 g. They were randomly allotted into three equal groups. Group I (low dose) and group II (high dose) were fed on water solutions containing acrylamide 5 and 10 mg/kg/day, respectively, for 2 months, while the third group received fresh water as the control group. Sperm analysis was done for parameters as well as evaluation of membrane integrity by Hypoosmotic Swelling Test (HOS-test) for sperm tails and Eosin-Y staining for sperm heads.

RESULTS:

Total sperm motility and progressive motility (fast and slow) in both groups, I and II, decreased significantly (P = 0.00), but no significant change was observed in non-progressive motility (P > 0.05). The total motile sperm percentage decreased significantly only in group II (P = 0.01). Sperm morphology did not significantly change in the experimental groups compared to the controls (P > 0.05). In sperm membrane integrity evaluation, functional intact membrane of sperm tail in both groups I and II had a significant decrease (P = 0.00), but membrane integrity of the sperm head decreased significantly only in group II (P = 0.00).

CONCLUSION:

These results indicate that acrylamide, through effects on membrane integrity, decreased sperm vitality as well as causing abnormal sperm parameters in progressive motility and total motility.

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