The Effect of Formaldehyde on Somniferous Tubules of Balb/C Mice

Purpose: To examine the effect of formaldehyde on somniferous ducts of laboratory animals. Materials and Methods: This study investigated 24 male Balb/c mice 20 days old that randomly divided into experimental and control groups. The Experimental group was administered every other days at the rate of 0.25 mg/kg formaldehyde intrapritoneally for 20 days. The control group received the same volume of normal saline during the same period of times. At the end of exposure time, the sample of both groups were anesthetized and Transected. Their removed testies were processed, serially sectioned and histochemically studied.Results: Our findings showed that the mean of internal diameter of somniferous tubules decreased significantly in experimental group compared to control group while the mean of external diameter was the same in both groups. Furthermore the prolifration rates of I and II spermatocytes were decreased significantly in experimental group compared to control group.Conclusion: The findings indicate that administration of formldehyde can influence the structure of male reproductive system and affect on spermatogenesis procedure.