Acetamiprid, a selective agonist of nicotinic acetylcholine recetors, is one of the most widely used neonicotinoids. There is limited data about toxicity of acetamiprid on male reproductive system. Therefore, the study aimed to investigate the reproductive toxic potential of acetamiprid in male rats orally treated with acetamiprid with low (12.5 mg/kg) medium (25 mg/kg) or high dose (35 mg/kg) for 90 days. According to our results, sperm concentration and plasma testosterone levels decreased in dose dependent manner. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), follicle-stimulating hormeone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) levels increased at low and medium dose groups and acetamiprid caused lipid peroxidation and glutathione (GSH) depletion in the testes. Histologic examinations revealed that acetamiprid induced apoptosis in medium and high dose groups and proliferation index dramatically decreased in high dose group. In conclusion, acetamiprid caused toxicity on male reproductive system in the high dose. The mechanism of the toxic effect may be associated with oxidative stress, hormonal disruptions and apoptosis. Neonicotinoids are new class of insecticides that act as selective nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist selectively in central nervous system of insects 1. Acetamiprid, one of the neonicotinoid insecticides, is commonly used for agricultural and domestic purposes against a large variety of insects 2,3. Acetamiprid has been reported to accumulate in plants and contaminate water and this can pose a potential risk for human health 4,5. Acetamiprid is absorbed easily after oral administration, and it is determined at the highest concentration in the liver, kidney, adrenal and thyroid glands 6. Some researchers showed that acetamiprid caused toxic effects on several organ systems, including the nervous, respiratory, and immune systems in the experimental models 7-9. Furthermore, it has been reported acute poisoning cases after ingestion of acetamiprid in humans 10,11. Acetamiprid has also been reported to induce reproductive toxicity in different species 12,13. The cross-sectional epidemiological study which was conducted in Kavar, (Iran) showed acetamiprid reduced the number of sperm in farmers who exposed to acetamiprid 14. As the use of acetamiprid is increasing, it is very important to identify the toxicity of acetamiprid. Additionally, acetamiprid can be used in combinations with other insecticide because of that, toxic effects and doses of acetamiprid are needed to elucidate well by chronic and subchronic toxicity studies. Acetamiprid has been shown toxic effects on many organs and systems. However, there is no satisfied information on the toxicity potential of acetamiprid on male reproductive system. In this study, it was aimed to examine the effects of acetamiprid on reproductive function of male rats in terms of oxidative stress, apoptosis, hormonal disruptions and histopathological changes. Results Effect of acetamiprid on body and testicular weights. Liver steatosis and slowness of the movem...

Acetamiprid, a selective agonist of type-2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, is one of the most widely used neonicotinoids. The hepato- and nephrotoxic potential of acetamiprid has not been clarified although it is known to be toxic to other several organ systems, including the nervous, respiratory and immune systems. The present study aimed to investigate acetamiprid liver and kidney toxicity in male rats after a 90-day subchronic exposure to 12.5, 25 and 35 mg/kg. The biochemical and oxidative damage parameters were determined in the plasma and tissue samples as well as histopathological evaluation in the liver and kidney tissues. Acetamiprid caused oxidative damage and affected the liver, denoted by injury markers including the levels of cholesterol, and alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase enzymes. There was also a decrease in plasma urea, uric acid and creatinine levels, all of which might result from liver injury. Additionally, acetamiprid was more toxic to the liver than the kidney according to the histopathological examinations. In conclusion, acetamiprid exhibited hepatotoxic potential at all treatment doses on male Sprague Dawley rats.

No abstract