Aluminum exposure for 60 days at human dietary levels impairs spermatogenesis and sperm quality in rats

Concerns about environmental aluminum (Al) and reproductive health have been raised. We investigated the effects of Al exposure at a human relevant dietary level and a high level exposure to Al. Experiment 1 (Lower level) rats were treated orally for 60 days: a) controls – ultrapure water; b) aluminum at 1.5 mg/kg bw/day and c) aluminum at 8.3 mg/kg bw/day. Experiment 2 (High level) rats were treated for 42 days: a) controls – ultrapure water; b) aluminum at 100 mg/kg bw/day. Al decreased sperm count, daily sperm production, sperm motility, normal morphological sperm, impaired testis histology; increased oxidative stress in reproductive organs and inflammation in testis. Our study shows the specific presence of Al in the germinative cells and, that low concentrations of Al in testes (3.35 μg/g) are sufficient to impair spermatogenesis and sperm quality. Our findings provide a better understanding of the reproductive health risk of Al.