Pesticides are used to improve agricultural yields; meanwhile they have detrimental effects on human and animal reproduction. This study aimed at evaluating the protective effects of ethanol extract of Bersama engleriana leaves against cypermethrin-induced oxidative stress and reproductive toxicity. Fifty male guinea pigs were divided into 5 groups (G1, G2, G3, G4 and G5) of 10 animals each. During 90 days, animals of G1 were given distilled water orally, while other groups received 137.50 mg/kg body weight (bw) of cypermethrin. In addition, G3, G4 and G5 received respectively 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg bw of ethanol extract of Bersama engleriana leaves. The testicular concentration of malondialdehyde, the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase decreased significantly (P<0.05) in guinea pigs exposed to cypermethrin and ethanol extract of B. engleriana leaves compared with those exposed to cypermethrin only (G2), while the reverse effect was observed concerning the activity of peroxidases. The time of reaction of male guinea pig in the presence of females and the percentage of abnormal spermatozoa decreased significantly (P<0.05) in animals treated with the insecticide and the ethanol extract of B. engleriana leaves with respect to G2 animals. The weight of testes, the serum level of testosterone, the sperm count, mobility and the percentage of spermatozoa with normal plasma membrane increased significantly (P<0.05) in guinea pigs treated with ethanol extract of B. engleriana leaves compared with those submitted to cypermethrin only. The histological sections of testes in animals exposed to cypermethrin and ethanol extract of B. engleriana leaves showed a normal structure compared with those exposed to cypermethrin only, of which sections of testes revealed the presence of immature germinal cells in the seminiferous tubules lumen. Hence, ethanol extract of B. engleriana leaves prevent the induction of oxidative stress and reproductive parameters impairment by cypermethrin in male guinea pig.

Cypermethrin is a large spectrum action insecticide, globally employed to control pests in agriculture and some human and domestic animals ectoparasites. This study aimed to evaluate its toxicity and reproduction impairment in male guinea pig. Forty adult male guinea pigs were divided into 4 groups and orally submitted to 0, 92, 137.5 and 275 mg/kg body weight/day for 90 days. The weight of the liver increased significantly, while that of kidneys decreased significantly in treated animals compared to controls. Serum concentrations of creatinine, urea, ALAT, ASAT, total cholesterol, prostatic acid phosphatase increased significantly, while the testicular total protein level decreased significantly in groups given the insecticide relatively to the control. The testes weight, libido, serum level of testosterone, mobility, sperm count and the percentage of spermatozoa with entire plasma membrane decreased significantly in animals exposed to cypermethrin with reference to controls. The percentages of abnormal spermatozoa increased significantly in animals submitted to 137.5 or 275 mg/kg body weight (bw) of cypermethrin compared to control ones. On the testis histological sections of pesticidetreated animals, immature germinal cells were observed in the lumen of seminiferous tubules. Cypermethrin was toxic in male guinea pig and damaged reproductive parameters.

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The neonicotinoid insecticides including acetamiprid are widely used in pest-control programs due to their high efficacy and low cost. This study aimed to investigate the impact of acetamiprid on reproductive parameters as well as its ability to generate oxidative stress in male guinea pig. Twenty-four adult male guinea pigs received oral administration of distilled water (control) and 3 different doses (26.67, 40 and 80 mg/kg body weight) of acetamiprid during 90 days. The effects of treatments were studied on some reproductive toxicity parameters and oxidative stress makers. Results showed that the administration of acetamiprid led to a significant (P<0.05) decrease in the testosterone concentration, reproductive organs weights, sperm count, sperm mobility, plasma membrane integrity, reaction time and a significant (P<0.05) increase of abnormal spermatozoa. Malondialdehyde and catalase activities increased significantly (P<0.05) in animals receiving acetamiprid. Reduced glutathione decreased significantly (P<0.05) in acetamiprid-treated animals while superoxide dismutase activity showed a significantly (P<0.05) higher value in animals receiving the highest dose of insecticide with reference to the control group. Moreover, acetamiprid-treated animals showed the presence of some immature germinal cells in the lumen of the seminiferous tubules compared to the control. In conclusion, results obtained in the current study revealed that acetamiprid caused perturbations on male reproductive system and induced oxidative stress.

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