Abnormal sperm morphology in mouse germ cells after short-term exposures to acetamiprid, propineb, and their mixture

Abstract

Pesticides are one of the most potent environmental contaminants, which accumulate in biotic and abiotic components of ecosystems. Acetamiprid (Acm), a neonicotinoid insecticide, and Propineb (Pro), a dithiocarbamate fungicide, are widely used to control sucking insects and fungal infections on crops, respectively. The present study was undertaken to investigate the genotoxic effects of these compounds, individually and in mixtures, in mouse germ cells by using the sperm morphology assay. Mice were injected intraperitoneally with 0.625, 1.25, and 2.50 µg mL -1 of Acm, 12.5, 25, and 50 µg mL -1 of Pro, and their mixture at the same concentrations over 24 and 48 h. Acm did not significantly increase the percentage of abnormal sperm at any concentration. The frequency of abnormal sperm significantly increased after 24 and 48 h of exposure to 50 µg mL -1 of Pro. The mixtures of 2.50 µg mL -1 of Acm and 50 µg mL -1 of Pro induced sperm abnormalities antagonistically both after 24 and 48 h of exposure. Results suggest that Acm was non-genotoxic for mouse germ cells, while Pro may have been a germ cell mutagen due to the observed increase in the frequency of sperm abnormalities. However, to gain better insight into the mutagenicity and DNA damaging potential of both of these pesticides, further studies at molecular level should be done.

Reproductive effects of subchronic exposure to acetamiprid in male rats

“…It has been demonstrated that acetamiprid caused to change in serum testosterone levels and seminiferous tubule diameter and thickness in albino mice exposed to 0.16 mg/ml, and 0.22 mg/ml, by adding acetamiprid to drinking water for four weeks 16 . According to a study which was conducted by Rasgele 17 , acetamiprid did not increase the sperm abnormalities at the doses of 0.62, 1.25, and 2.50 μg/mL after 24 and 48 hours on in Mus musculus mice. A study conducted by Kong et al 18 demonstrated that acetamiprid increases LH levels and decreases testosterone levels and sperm count in Sprague Dawley rat treated with 10 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg dose.…”

Analysis of Chromosomal Damage Caused by Acetamiprid

“…Furthermore, serum testosterone concentration and sperm quality and quantity were affected [17]. In the study of mouse sperm abnormalities following intraperitoneal administration of acetamiprid and propineb together as well, acetamiprid did not significantly increase the percentage of abnormal sperm after 24 or 48 h exposure [12].…”

Antigenotoxic effects of a polyherbal drug septilin against the genotoxicity of cyclophosphamide in mice

“…There are several reports on chemically induced abnormal sperms. [75] reported the sperm abnormalities in mouse germ cells after short term exposure to pesticides acetamiprid, propineb and their mixture. From various studies it has been concluded that chemicals yielding positive response in mouse sperm morphology test should be regarded as suspected germ cell mutagens in mammals and agent’s positive responses in these sperm tests should be considered with high priority against human applications [110] , [111] .…”