The resin monomer triethylene glycol dimethacrylate exhibits reproductive toxicity in male mice

Abstract

The present study evaluated the effect of triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) on mouse fertility. Adult male mice were administered TEGDMA (0, 25 and 100 μg kg–1) intragastrically daily for 28 days and then allowed to mate for 10 days with sexually mature untreated female mice; fertility was assessed after a further 10 days. Females mated by males that had been treated with TEGDMA had a significant reduction in pregnancy rate, as well as a significant increase in the total number of resorptions as a percentage of the total number of implantations. Furthermore, the number of animals in which resorption occcurred was increased significantly. Males treated with TEGDMA exhibited a significant reduction in bodyweight, testis weight and the weight of the seminal vesicles and preputial glands. Testicular and epididymal sperm counts, as well as the efficiency of sperm production, were also significantly reduced in TEGDMA-treated males. The results suggest that TEGDMA has adverse effects on the fertility and reproductive system of male mice.