The effect of acute lead on accessory gland of freshwater crab (Sinopotamon henanense) in sperm acrosome reaction induction

To investigate the toxic effect of lead on male accessory gland function in the freshwater crab Sinopotamon henanense, the function of accessory gland was investigated firstly, acrosome reaction induction rate was high up to 78% under the combination of calcium ionophore A23187 and accessory gland homogenate, it implied that accessory gland could adjust the action of sperm acrosome reaction. Then the effects of Pb on the accessory gland function in sperm acrosome reaction induction and oxidative stress were investigated after 3, 5 and 7 d, exposed to different Pb concentrations (0, 3.675, 7.35, 14.70, 29.40 and 58.80 mg/L). The results showed that the acrosome reaction induction rate was deceased significantly when the accessory gland was taken from crabs which was treated by Pb. Meanwhile, the reactive oxygen species (ROS) content and protein carbonylation (PCO) content were increased in a concentration- and time-dependent manner in accessory gland, however, DNA-protein crosslinks rate (DPC) level had no significant change. Our findings documented that Pb deceased the function of accessory gland in sperm acrosome reaction induction, which was associated with the increasing of ROS leading to protein oxidative damage.