OPEN ACCESS Freely available online J Geogr Nat Disas, Vol.11 Iss.6 6 ABSTRACT Hexavalent chromium (Cr-VI), widely used in tanning industries, is a potent toxic metal whose accumulation in the animal body can adversely affect the reproductive organs. District Kasur, Pakistan, is famous for having tanneries industry where Cr (VI) is directly discharged untreated into the adjoining water nullahs. Resultantly, wildlife species, reliant on these water sources, are exposed to chromium toxicity, which enters into the animal body through drinking water and food chain. The current study investigated toxic effects of Cr(VI) on testicular tissue of adult small Indian mongoose inhabiting the study area from February 2015 to January 2016. Average Cr-concentrations, in experimental area soil and water, and the blood and tissue samples of the species were found significantly higher compared to control. Average body and testicular weights of experimental animals were found reduced. Histological analysis revealed seminiferous tubules disorganized in experimental animals, depleted germ cells and hyperplasia of the Leydig cells. Sperm counts were found reduced. Serum testosterone and LH levels were found reduced while FSH levels increased in experimental animals. The study concludes that Cr being discharged from tanneries into the environment is up taken by small Indian mongoose leading to severe testicular tissue damage and potential impairment of reproductive function of the species. Journal of Geography and Natural Disasters Short Communication Hexavalent chromium induces testicular dysfunction in small Indian mongoose (Herpestes javanicus) inhabiting tanneries areas of Kasur District, Pakistan Shaista Andleeb and Tariq Mahmood PMAS-AAUR, Pakistan Introduction: Chromium (Cr) is a naturally occurring element that exists in a variety of oxidation states (−2 to +6). Among the ionic forms of Cr, hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)], the most toxic form, can readily cross cellular membranes via nonspecific anion transporters1. After entering the cell, Cr(VI) is reduced to produce reactive intermediates, including Cr(V), Cr(IV), Cr(III) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). These species can cause DNA strand breaks, base modifications and lipid peroxidation, thereby disrupting cellular integrity and inducing toxic, as well as mutagenic effects. Cr(VI) is used in more than 50 different industries worldwide in a variety of applications, including pigment and textile production, leather tanneries, wood processing, chrome plating, metallurgical and chemical industries, stainless steel factories, welding, cement manufacturing factories, ceramic, glass and photographic industries, catalytic converter production for automobiles, heat resistance and as an anti-rust agent in cooling plants. The increased use by industries, coupled with improper disposal of Cr(VI) waste, has resulted in an increase in the levels of Cr(VI) in soil, water and air, leading to environmental pollution. It is estimated that approximately half a million workers in the United States and several million workers worldwide have been exposed to Cr(VI) (via inhalation and skin contact). Environmental or occupational exposure to Cr(VI) results in an increased risk of asthma, nasal septum lesions, skin ulcerations and cancers of the respiratory system. Cr(VI) is also known to cause cytotoxic, genotoxic, immunotoxic and carcinogenic effects in both humans and laboratory animals, as well as allergic dermatitis and reproductive toxicity. In the welding industry, workers exposed to Cr(VI) have an increased risk of poor semen quality and sperm abnormalities that lead to infertility or cause developmental problems in children. An increase in spermatozoa with abnormalities and a decrease in sperm count have also been reported in Cr-treated/exposed mice, rats, rabbits and bonnet monkeys. Although Cr(VI) is known to affect male reproductive health, there is limited scientific data concerning the toxicity and there are no appropriate in vitro models to clearly understand the possible cytotoxic effects, including oxidative stress and apoptosis. In the present study, we investigated the mechanism underlying the toxic effects of Cr(VI) in male somatic and spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). Leydig cells are somatic cells adjacent to the seminiferous tubules that produce the primary androgen, testosterone, an important hormone for the maturation of sperm. Sertoli cells are located in the convoluted seminiferous tubules and are responsible Copyright: © 2021. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.