Formaldehyde induces DNA strand breaks on spermatozoa and lymphocytes of Wistar rats

Abstract

Formaldehyde (FA) interacts with biological molecules such as DNA and it induces DNA-protein cross-links (DPCs), oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species (ROS), methylation, chromosomal damage, fragmentation, and adducts of DNA, which are considered the most important genotoxic effects caused by exposure to FA. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the percentage of DNA fragmentation on lymphocytes and spermatozoa from Wistar rats exposed to different doses of FA. The results about the percentage of fragmentation of DNA in lymphocytes and spermatozoa, were statistical different from controlled group versus treated groups respectively to (p < 0.05). Pathological changes were observed in the seminiferous tubules, especially in rats exposed to 30 mg/kg of FA. This study provided additional evidence supporting that FA induces DNA strand breaks in both cells and therefore genotoxic damage in Wistar rats.