# Commission Directive 2004/73/EC of 29 April 2004 adapting to technical progress for the twenty-ninth time Council Directive 67/548/EEC on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous substances (Text with EEA relevance), Division 1.5.4: Sperm parameters

Extent: E+W+S+N.I.

For all P and F1 males at termination, testis and epididymis weight shall be recorded and one of each organ reserved for histopathological examination (see section 1.5.7, 1.5.8.1). Of a subset of at least ten males of each group of P and F1 males, the remaining testes and epididymides should be used for enumeration of homogenisation-resistant spermatids and cauda epididymal sperm reserves, respectively. For this same subset of males, sperm from the cauda epididymides or vas deferens should be collected for evaluation of sperm motility and sperm morphology. If treatment-related effects are observed or when there is evidence from other studies of possible effects on spermatogenesis, sperm evaluation should be conducted in all males in each dose group; otherwise enumeration may be restricted to control and high-dose P and F1 males.
The total number of homogenisation-resistant testicular spermatids and cauda epididymal sperm should be enumerated (2)(3). Cauda sperm reserves can be derived from the concentration and volume of sperm in the suspension used to complete the qualitative evaluations, and the number of sperm recovered by subsequent mincing and/or homogenising of the remaining cauda tissue. Enumeration should be performed on the selected subset of males of all dose groups immediately after killing the animals unless video or digital recordings are made, or unless the specimens are freezed and analysed later. In these instances, the controls and high dose group may be analysed first. If no treatment-related effects (e.g., effects on sperm count, motility, or morphology) are seen the other dose groups need not be analysed. When treatment-related effects are noted in the high-dose group, then the lower dose groups should also be evaluated.
Epididymal (or ductus deferens) sperm motility should be evaluated or video taped immediately after sacrifice. Sperm should be recovered while minimising damage, and diluted for motility analysis using acceptable methods (4). The percentage of progressively motile sperm should be determined either subjectively of objectively. When computer-assisted motion analysis is performed (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10) the derivation of progressive motility relies on user-defined thresholds for average path velocity and straightness or linear index. If samples are videotaped (11) or the images are otherwise recorded at the time of necropsy, subsequent analysis of only control and high-dose P and F1 males may be performed unless treatment-related effects are observed; in that case, the lower dose groups should also be evaluated. In the absence of a video or digital image, all samples in all treatment groups should be analysed at necropsy.
A morphological evaluation of an epididymal (or vas deferens) sperm sample should be performed. Sperm (at least 200 per sample) should be examined as fixed, wet preparations (12) and classified as either normal or abnormal. Examples of morphologic sperm abnormalities would include fusion, isolated heads, and misshapen heads and/or tails. Evaluation should be performed on the selected subset of males of all dose groups either immediately after killing the animals, or, based on the video or digital recordings, at a later time. Smears, once fixed, can also be read at a later time. In these instances, the controls and high dose group may be analysed first. If no treatment-related effects (e.g., effects on sperm morphology) are seen the other dose groups need not be analysed. When treatment-related effects are noted in the high-dose group, then the lower dose groups should also be evaluated.
If any of the above sperm evaluation parameters have already been examined as part of a systemic toxicity study of at least 90 days, they need not necessarily be repeated in the two-generation study. It is recommended, however, that samples or digital recordings of sperm of the P generation are saved, to enable later evaluation, if necessary.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eudr/2004/73/annex/n8/division/B.35/division/1/division/1.5/division/1.5.4 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/eu-directive-2004-73/annex-n8/division-B.35/division-1/division-1.5/division-1.5.4
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.