efsa-opinion-chromium-food-drinking-water

Chromium in food and bottled water
Table H6: Developmental and reproductive toxicity studies with Cr(VI) compounds (continued)
Study* NOAEL LOAEL Effect Reference
Adult male bonnet monkeys (Macaca
radiata)
Oral (drinking water)
0, 100, 200 or 400 mg/L potassium
dichromate
for 180 days + recovery period of 180 days
(half of animals)
- 100 mg/L
potassium
dichromate
1.7 mg
Cr(VI)/kg
b.w. per day
Doses: 0, 1.7, 3.4, and 6.8 mg Cr(VI)/kg
b.w. per day
Adult male bonnet monkeys (Macaca
radiata)
Oral (drinking water)
0, 100, 200 or 400 mg/L potassium
dichromate
for 180 days + recovery period of 180 days
(half of animals)
Doses: 0, 1.7, 3.4, and 6.8 mg Cr(VI)/kg
b.w. per day
- 100 mg/L
potassium
dichromate
1.7 mg
Cr(VI)/kg
b.w. per day
Increase plasma chromium levels at 24h following last day of
treatment (up to 10 fold), values declined to control values after
180 days recovery.
Decrease relative testes weights at end of treatment, returned to
normal following 180 days recovery.
Disorganized seminiferous tubules, dose-related decrease in
diameter.
Depletion of germ cells and hyperplasia of Leydig cells, absence of
spermatids in some tubules, Sertoli cell fibrosis, vacuoles
surrounding spermatids still adherent to the epithelium, multinucleate
giant cells in adluminal compartment, lumen filled with prematurely
released germ cells and cell debris and abnormal appearance of
chromatin in postzygotene spermatocyte. These effects disappeared
after recovery period.
Treatment-related changes in testicular structure.
The specific activities of testicular superoxide dismutase, catalase,
glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and glucose-6-
phosphate dehydrogenase, considered to indicate the status of
oxidative stress in the testis, were all significantly decreased.
The authors concluded that Cr(VI) disrupts spermatogenesis by
inducing free-radical toxicity.
Two types of ‘microcanals’ in epididymal epithelium. Effect doserelated.
The authors hypothesize that the first type of microcanal provides
passage for spermatozoa to bypass the blocked main duct. The
second type of microcanal was proposed as a means by which
spermatozoa reaching the core of the epithelium are sequestered, as a
mechanism to avoid an autoimmune response.
(effects were not quantified, but the authors’ believed that the
incidence and severity of microcanalisation increased with increasing
Cr(VI) concentration).
They interpreted their findings as indicative of Cr(VI)-induced
obstruction of the distal portion of the cauda epididymis.
Aruldhas et al.
(2005)
Aruldhas et al.
(2004)
EFSA Journal 2014;12(3):3595 209