Effect of Dimethoate (An Organophosphate Insecticide) on the Reproductive System and Fertility of Adult Male Rat

Abstract

The pesticides are one of the most potentially harmful chemicals liberated in the environment in an unplanned manner. Dimethoate is widely used as a potent pesticide in many countries and has been shown to produce some adverse health effects. In the present study, we investigated the effect of dimethoate (an organophosphate insecticide) on the reproductive system and fertility of male rats and the possible mechanism underlining its action. Twenty four adult Wistar male rats were divided into 4 groups of 6 animals per group and force-fed with 0, 3.66, 5.50 and 11 mg kg −1 body weight of dimethoate for 90 days. At 80 days of treatment, each males was allows to mate with two primiparous cyclic females. The results showed a significant decrease (p<0.05) of body weight gain in rats gavaged with dimethoate compared to control. In addition, this insecticide at the doses of 3.66, 5.5 and 11 mg kg −1 caused a significant (p<0.05) increase of the relative weight of epididymis. Dimethoate at its highest dose caused a decrease in the relative weights of testes and ventral prostate. The doses 3.66, 5.50 and 11.00 mg kg −1 body weight of dimethoate caused a significant decrease (p<0.05) of the sperm concentration and motility. The level of protein and cholesterol in the serum and testes as well as the activity of prostatic acid phosphatase decreased significantly (p<0.05) in rats treated with dimethoate compared to control. Fertility, gestation and parturition indices as well as the litter size decreased significantly in animals treated with 5.50 and 11.00 mg kg −1 body weight of dimethoate compared to control. The testicular histology of animals treated with high doses of dimethoate generally showed span of Sertoli cells destruction and disorganization of the germinal epithelium. The lumen of seminiferous tubules of treated rats was generally poor in sperm. The results of this study confirmed that dimethoate seriously deteriorate the male reproductive system resulting in decreased fertility.

Effects of clothianidin exposure on sperm quality, testicular apoptosis and fatty acid composition in developing male rats

“…The increase of cholesterol level in the testicular tissue may result from its non-utilization for production of testosterone. Similar observations were reported by Ngoula et al (2007) who tested pirimiphos-methyl, an organophosphorous pesticide in rats. In addition, Yamamoto et al (1999) have reported that high testicular cholesterol concentration have a detrimental effect on Leydig and Sertoli cell secretory function, spermatogenesis, epididymal sperm maturation process (decreased sperm motility and concentration), and the overall sperm fertilizing capacity.…”

Effects of ethanol extract of <i>Bersama engleriana</i> leaves on oxidative stress and reproductive parameters in male Guinea pig (<i>Cavia porcellus</i>) exposed to cypermethrin

“…In fact, they are considered as risk factors of many diseases such as cancer, congenital malformations and infertility (Rudant et al, 2007). Pesticides damage reproduction of animals and some reported effects are the reduction in testosterone production and/or action (Bustos-Obregon and Gonzalez-Hormazabal, 2003) and the decrease in sperm count and mobility (Naravana et al, 2005;Ngoula et al, 2007;Kenfack et al, 2015;Nwozo et al, 2016). One of the mechanisms by which they perform their toxicity is the generation of high production of free radicals and then of the oxidative stress (Banerjee et al, 2001;Amin and Hashem, 2012).…”

Pesticide Exposures Induce Male-Mediated Reproductive Toxicity: A Review

“…Mating and fertility indices were reduced, in which one of the main causes for this could be the possible decrease in testosterone level together with unfavourable effects on libido (Farag et al, 2012). Decreasing in the relative weights of ventral prostate and testes, sperm motility and concentration, cholesterol and protein level in the serum and testes, the activity of prostatic acid phosphatase as well as fertility, gestation, litter size and parturition indices have been reported in rats treated with Dimethoate (Ngoula et al, 2014). Furthermore, there was study disclosed that exposure of rats to the subchronic administration of Methomyl magnificently decreased the fertility index, weight of testes and accessory organs, serum testosterone level as well as sperm count and motility.…”