Antouka Super ® induced oxidative stress and reproductive toxicity in male Japanese quail ( Coturnix coturnix japonica)

Abstract

BackgroundAntouka Super® (AS), a combination of insecticide (Pirimiphos-methyl 16% and Permethrin 3%), is one of the most widely used pesticides in agriculture, public health, home and garden, with high potential for human and animal exposure.ObjectiveThe present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of AS on the serum testosterone, oxidative stress biomarkers, testis histology and fertility of male Japanese quail.MethodsThirty-two (32) male Japanese quails twenty-eight (28) days were randomly divided into four groups: C0 (control), T1, T2 and T3, exposed daily (gavage) to 0, 37.5, 56.25 and 75 mg of AS/kg body weight (b.w), respectively, for 49 consecutive days and were analysed for fertility. Control and experimental male quails were cohabited, for two days, with untreated female quails and sperm positive female quail were analysed for paternal-mediated toxicity. After completion of fertility studies quails were sacrificed and analysed for reproductive endpoints.ResultsThere was a dose dependent decrease of the relative weight of testis, epididymis and vas deferens. Additionally, testis total proteins and serum testosterone levels were decreased in AS treated quails (p < 0.05). A decrease of sperm motility, viability and concentration per vas deferens, and an increase of sperm anomalies were recorded in AS exposed quails with respect to the controls. The embryonic and post-embryonic mortality rate were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in group T3 (25.00 ± 3.40% and 31.66 ± 10.22% respectively) than in control group (6.25 ± 3.98% and 9.54 ± 3.72% respectively). The superoxide dismutase (SOD), total peroxidase (POD) and catalase activity (CAT) were significantly (p < 0.05) lower treated than control quails, while the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in groups T1, T2 and T3 (13.00 ± 0.96, 23.50 ± 1.35 and 29.08 ± 1.58 nmol/mg tissues respectively) compared to the control one (9.32 ± 0.67nmol/mg tissues). Histopathological examination of the testes of AS treated quails revealed testicular lesions characterized by moderate to severe degenerative changes of seminiferous tubules, incomplete spermatogenesis and depletion in the germ layers of seminiferous tubules in which immature spermatozoa were hardly seen.ConclusionFrom the above study, it can be inferred that AS (56.25 and 75) mg/kg b.w decrease body and relative organ weights and induces testicular lesions. Also, AS increases the level of MDA while it reduces the levels of enzymatic antioxidant biomarkers, serum testosterone and reproductive indices of intoxicated quails and their offspring. However, further work is needed to establish the genetic toxicology and immunohistochemistry of caspase-3 and claudin-1.

Protective Effects of Aqueous Extract of Persea Americana Leaves Against Secondary Sexual Traits and Histopathological Damages Induced by Antouka Super® in Male Japanese Quails (Coturnix sp)

“…The testicular histopathology was damaged in Japanese quails exposed to AS, agreeing with findings of Ngoula et al (2017) in male Japanese quails exposed respectively to 37.5, 56.25 and 75 mg of AS/kg b.w for 49 days and Vemo et al (2018) in male guinea pigs exposed to 92, 137.5 and 275 mg/kg b.w/day of Cypermethrin for 90 days. The improvement in the testicular structure in animals treated with AEPAL observed in this study might be a consequence of AEPAL bioactive compounds' activity.…”

“…Antouka Super ® and AEPAL were administered orally by gavage for 60 days. The dose of Antouka Super ® used in the study was selected from a pilot study and represents 1/15 of LD50 value obtained in quails (1125 mg/kg b.w) (Ngoula et al, 2017).…”

“…These animals are therefore likely to be exposed to pesticide residues through their diet. In fact, in our previous studies (Ngoula et al, 2017), this insecticide has been reported to impair the level of oxidative stress biomarkers such as catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), sperm motility, viability and increase minor and major sperm anomalies in Japanese quails.…”

“…Pesticides are chemicals used in agriculture to eliminate pests (insects and weeds) in order to improve the quality and yield of agricultural production (Grasiela et al, 2014). However, because of their toxicological properties, ubiquity, persistence, presence and concentration in the food chain, they are responsible for genotoxicity (Benbrook, 2016), fertility problems such as inhibition of spermatogenesis, decreased motility and viability of spermatozoa, oestral cycle disruption (Andersen et al, 2000;Ngoula et al, 2017) related to the alteration of cells function through the production of free radicals which are responsible for oxidative stress (Banerjee et al, 2001;Amin and Hashem, 2012).…”

Growth performance and reproductive function impairment of glyphosate‐based herbicide in male guinea pig (Cavia porcellus)

“…Pesticides are chemicals used in agriculture to eliminate pests in order to improve the short term quantity and yield of agricultural production (Grasiela et al, 2014). However, because of their toxicological properties, ubiquity, persistence, presence and concentration in the food chain, they are responsible for genotoxicity (Benbrook, 2016) and fertility problems such as impairment of spermatogenesis, decreased motility and viability of spermatozoa in male (Ngoula et al, 2017) and disruption of oestrus cycle in females (Al-Hamdani & Yajurvedi, 2017) exposed to contaminated food.…”