Summary
This three-generation rat study assessed the effects of Cr(VI) on sperm quality and testicular histopathology across F0, F1, and F2 generations. Male and female Wistar rats received potassium dichromate in drinking water at 25, 50, or 75 mg/L continuously across generations; controls received chromium-free water. Cr(VI) produced dose- and generation-dependent impairment of sperm quality and testicular architecture, with the most pronounced effects in the F2 generation at the highest dose. The findings demonstrate cumulative multigenerational reproductive toxicity and are cited on the hexavalent chromium wiki page for the reproductive toxicity section.
Key numbers
Sperm quality, F2 generation at 75 mg/L (F2-E3 group) vs. F2 controls:
| Parameter | F2 control | F2-E3 (75 mg/L) | Magnitude of change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sperm concentration | reference | decreased approximately 31.35% | dose- and generation-dependent |
| Total motility | reference | decreased 66.79% | dose- and generation-dependent |
| Progressive motility | reference | decreased 84.5% | dose- and generation-dependent |
| Morphological abnormalities (%) | 9.86% | 63.43% | head, neck, and tail regions affected |
| Testicular injury score (modified Cosentino) | 0.64 | 3.71 | scale 0 to 4; 4 is most severe |
| Johnsen testicular biopsy score | 9.65 | 6.54 | scale 1 to 10; 10 is normal |
Doses: 25 mg/L (E1), 50 mg/L (E2), 75 mg/L (E3) potassium dichromate in drinking water. Sample size: n = 7 males per group per generation. Sperm from vas deferens; motility and concentration by CASA (HTM-IVOS v12.3); morphology from 200 cells per sample stained with Eosin; histology scored by two blinded pathologists.
Evidence Fitness
Context only. This is an animal study at doses (25 to 75 mg/L potassium dichromate in drinking water) substantially above typical human water exposure levels and designed to characterise dose-response and multigenerational accumulation in an animal model. The study documents Cr(VI) as a reproductive toxicant with cumulative multigenerational effects. It does not translate directly to human dietary exposure estimates but provides mechanistic context for the reproductive toxicity hazard. Findings are cited as toxicological context in the hexavalent chromium wiki page.
Methods (brief)
Wistar rats (F0: 28 male and 28 female, 220 to 240 g). chromium (Cr) source: potassium dichromate from Sigma-Aldrich (99% or higher purity), diluted to 25, 50, or 75 mg/L in distilled water. Mating 1:1 (confirmed by vaginal plug). Sperm collected from vas deferens at euthanasia; CASA analysis (HTM-IVOS v12.3) on Leja 4-chamber slides; progressive spermatozoa defined as VAP 50.0 microm/s or greater and STR 80.0% or greater. Morphology from eosin smears, 200 cells per sample. Histology: H.E. staining, 5 microm paraffin sections; testicular injury graded by modified Cosentino system (0 to 4) and Johnsen score (1 to 10) by two blinded pathologists. LOD/LOQ, CRM and recovery are not reported; this is a histological and sperm motility study rather than an analytical measurement study. Ethical approval: Ethical Committee of Banat University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine “King Michael I of Romania” Timisoara (No. 60/23.07.2019); animal handling in compliance with EU Directive 2010/63/EU.
Implications
- Certification: Cr(VI) is already a certified program analyte; this study reinforces the reproductive hazard basis for including it.
- Courses: multi-generational accumulation provides a concrete example of why chronic low-level metal exposure is a concern beyond first-generation effects.
- App: no contamination_profile data; not applicable.
- Microbiome: not addressed in this paper.
Provenance notes
Open access, CC BY 4.0. Senior authors Marc S and Boldura OM contributed equally. Institution: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I” from Timisoara, Romania. This paper is from the same research group as savici2026-crvi-pancreas-hypericum; the present study is on reproductive toxicity and uses a three-generation design rather than the five-group single-organ design of the pancreas paper. No retraction or correction flags at time of ingest. See Chromium, Hexavalent for the page this source informs.
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