Sperm abnormalities associated with high copper levels in impala (Aepyceros melampus) in the Kruger National Park, South Africa

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dc.contributor.authorAckerman, D. J.
dc.contributor.authorReinecke, A. J.
dc.contributor.authorEls, H. J.
dc.contributor.authorGrobler, D. G.
dc.contributor.authorReinecke, S. A.
dc.date.accessioned2011-05-15T16:01:37Z
dc.date.available2011-05-15T16:01:37Z
dc.date.issued1999
dc.description.abstractThe morphology of spermatozoa may be affected by very low concentrations of pollutants in the environment, and sublethal effects of toxic substances can be detected by studying the sperm of an animal. Sperm were collected from 50 impala (Aepyceros melampus) from a conservation area in South Africa and studied ultramicroscopically. Thirty-two samples were obtained from animals close to a copper mine, while 18 represented animals from an unpolluted area and held in captivity. Liver samples from all these animals were analyzed for their copper content. The findings from 12 animals kept in captivity and fed on a diet to which copper was added correlated with the findings from the field study. The general condition of the animals as expressed by the fat content of the bone marrow from the area exposed to copper contamination was affected detrimentally in comparison to the animals from the uncontaminated area. High percentages of sperm with neck vacuoles were found in all animals with high liver copper levels. A statistically significant correlation is demonstrated between the percentage of impala sperm with vacuoles in the neck region and the copper concentrations in this group of animals.
dc.description.versionArticle
dc.identifier.citationEcotoxicology and Environmental Safety
dc.identifier.citation43
dc.identifier.citation3
dc.identifier.issn1476513
dc.identifier.other10.1006/eesa.1999.1787
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/12068
dc.subjectcopper
dc.subjectanimal tissue
dc.subjectarticle
dc.subjectcontrolled study
dc.subjectdisease association
dc.subjectecotoxicology
dc.subjectenvironmental exposure
dc.subjectliver level
dc.subjectnonhuman
dc.subjectSouth Africa
dc.subjectspermatozoon abnormality
dc.subjectstructure analysis
dc.subjecttoxicity testing
dc.subjectultrastructure
dc.subjectAnimals
dc.subjectAntelopes
dc.subjectBody Composition
dc.subjectBone Marrow
dc.subjectCopper
dc.subjectDiet
dc.subjectLiver
dc.subjectMale
dc.subjectMicroscopy, Electron
dc.subjectSouth Africa
dc.subjectSpermatozoa
dc.titleSperm abnormalities associated with high copper levels in impala (Aepyceros melampus) in the Kruger National Park, South Africa
dc.typeArticle
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