Abstract: BACKGROUND ＆ AIM: To explore the DNA damaging effect of lead acetate on germ cell of mice in vivo and in vitro. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Mouse testicular germ cells were exposed to 50, 100, 500 and 1 000 μmol/L lead acetate in vitro, and then exposed to 12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg of lead acetate for five days by intraperitoneal injection. Mouse testicular germ cells were collected on the 6th day. Comet assay was used to detect the effects of the damage and electrophoretic mobility distance of DNA. RESULTS: In vitro DNA lesion were detected in all 4 lead acetate treated groups(compared with negative control P<0.01), and was dose_related (visual scoring r=0.5114, P<0.01, tail moment r=0.407, P<0.01). In vivo DNA damage was detected in 3 lead acetate treated groups (compared with negative control P<0.01), and was also dose_related (visual scoring r=0.4848,P<0.01, tail moment r=0.5314, P<0.01).CONCLUSION: Lead acetate is genotoxic to mouse testicular germ cells, by inducing mouse testicular germ cell DNA damage.

Key words: comet assay, lead acetate, DNA damage, testicular