Abstract: BACKGROUND AND AIM:To study the subchronic toxic effects of mercuric chloride and lead acetate on testis and sperm on male mice. MATERIAL AND METHODS:Male mice of 4 weeks were administered to mercuric chloride (0.25,0.5,1.0 mg/kg) and lead acetate(1.5,6.0,24.0 mg/kg) by intraperitoned injection 2 days/week for 30 days. After 23 days,the males were normally feeded.Testis index of male mice,sperm count,sperm motility,incidence of teratospermia were observed. RESULTS: The testis index of high level lead acetate group was lower than that of control group(P<0.005); the sperm count of middle and high level mercuric chloride group and each lead acetate group was lower than that of control group(P<0.05,P<0.005); the sperm motility of middle and high level lead acetate group was lower than that of control group(P<0.05)；the incidence of teratospermia of each mercuric chloride group and each lead acetate group was higter than that of control group (P<0.05， P<0.005).Micronucleus rate of spermatogenic cell of high level lead acetate group was higher that of control group(P<0.05).Micronucleus rate of spermatogenic cell of each mercuric chloride group and middle and high level lead acetate group have not significantly with that of control group(P>0.05).Meiosis rate of each group different have not significantly with that of control group(P>0.05). CONCLUSION:The study suggests that mercuric chloride and lead acetate has subchronic toxic effects on the reproductive function, testis and sperm of mice.

Key words: havey metals, testis, sperm, micronucleus rate, meiosis