Journal of Applied Physiology, Vol 55, Issue 6 1709-1712, Copyright © 1983 by American Physiological Society
Assessment of recovery from hyperbaric-induced subfertility in male mice
C. J. Dore, M. J. Halsey, S. Monk and B. Wardley-Smith
This study was designed to investigate whether subfertility in male mice
produced by exposure to high pressures of heliox showed any recovery. Male
mice were exposed to 50 ATA heliox (controls exposed to 1 ATA air) during
one spermatogenic cycle; subsequently each male was housed with 10
untreated females. After 14 days males were removed and housed with 10 more
females. This was repeated four times. Male libido, pregnancy rate, pre- or
early implantation loss, and fetal survival were determined for each
mating. Results showed that all variables were significantly reduced in the
pressure group during the first mating, but there were differing rates of
recovery. Male libido was consistently reduced (12%) and showed no recovery
trend. Pregnancy rate showed continuing improvement throughout all matings
but did not reach control levels after 8 wk. Pre/early implantation loss
and fetal survival had returned to control values by the fourth mating.
These data suggest that pressure-induced subfertility is largely
reversible, and at least two separate events contribute to it.
