Histopathological and Molecular study of effects of potassium dichromate on testis of the adult male mice

Background: Potassium Dichromate is an inorganic chemical used in industrial applications and the laboratory. Potassium Dichromate is harmful to body health. Potassium Dichromate is red-orange in colour and is solid in composition. The current study aims to determine the histological changes in the testes and determine the gene expression for Spef2 (sperm flagellar 2) and Catsper1 (cation channel, sperm associated 1) in mice due to the administration of Potassium Dichromate. Methods: Twenty adult white male mice with (20-30) grams in weight, (16) weeks in age were divided into double groups, each one have ten mice. G1 administrated potassium dichromate (67) Mg/kg/BW for 21 days orally, while G2 is control group that is administrated PBs. After finishing the administration period, all the animals are sacrificed. The first parts of the testes are kept in formalin 10% to make the histopathological examination. In contrast, the second part of the testes are kept in TRIzol for RNA Extraction to determine the gene expression. Result: The histopathological examination of G1 showed the destroyed seminiferous tubules in the testis, loss of spermatid, and necrosis. Moreover, the testis shows severely distracted seminiferous tubules and vacuolation of the seminiferous epithelium. No spermatogonia cell can be distinguished, but Leydig cells can be seen. Also, there are primary spermatocytes with necrotic seminiferous tubules. The control group (G2) demonstrated that testis has normal seminiferous tubules with seminiferous tubules filled with spermatids, normal Leydig cells, normal spermatogonia, normal primary spermatocytes, normal spermatid, and normal spermatozoa, with normal epididymis. Moreover, the study found that gene expression of Spef2 and Catsper1 genes was increased in the group that administrated potassium dichromate compared to the control group. Conclusion: The current work found that potassium dichromate causes histopathological changes in the testis and increases the gene expression of f Spef2 and Catsper1 genes related to sperm activity in mice.