Abstract
The present study was undertaken to evaluating the effects of diethylstilbestrol (DES) on sperm motility and reproductive function in male Japanese quail. To do so, we have identified the method that ensures maximal quail sperm motility, i.e. the semen from the ductus deferens was diluted with Lake’s solution supplemented with 0.005% (w/v) caffeine and 10% (v/v) quail cloaca fluid. Sperm motility was analyzed by the computer-assisted sperm motility analysis system (CASA). Compared with control birds, administration of DES (0.1 or 1 mg DES on a daily basis for a week) caused a significant reduction in testicular weight, a marked disintegration of the seminiferous epithelium and a significant decrease in the sperm population of the seminiferous lumen. Sperm recovery and motility also showed a significant decrease in treated individuals. These results suggested that enhanced estrogenic effect caused by DES injection could cause a disruption in reproductive function by affecting spermatogenesis and influencing sperm motility.
