Effects of Diuron on Male Rat Reproductive Organs: A Developmental and Postnatal Study

Abstract

This study was performed to determine whether developmental exposure (perinatal and juvenile) to the herbicide diuron exerted adverse effects on adult rat male reproductive system. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats received basal diet or diet containing diuron at 500 or 750 ppm from gestational day 12 (GD 12) until the end of lactation period (postnatal day 21, PND 21). After weaning male offspring received basal diet or diet containing diuron until PND 42 (peripubertal age). At PND 90, adult male rats from each experimental group were anesthetized and euthanized for evaluation of body and reproductive organ weights, sperm parameters, plasma testosterone levels, and testicular and epididymal histopathology. Male offspring exposed to diuron at 750 ppm displayed reduced body weight at PND 10, 21, 42, and 90 compared to controls. At PND 90, diuron treatment did not induce significant change in daily sperm production, sperm morphology and motility, and testosterone levels compared to controls. In conclusion, diuron at 750 ppm induced male offspring toxicity but these alterations were not permanent, as evidenced by absence of reproductive-system alterations in adult Sprague Dawley rats.

Suspected endocrine disrupting substances

“…The study is similar to OECD TG 407, Repeated dose 28-day study. The study by Fernandes et al in 2012 is more similar to TG 416 since both pregnant rats and male offspring were exposed to diuron. Both studies by Fernandes focused on endpoints of male reproductive toxicity and the only indication of adverse effects were the reduction of number of pups in the older study (2007) and reduced body weight of offspring in the later study (2012).…”

“… TG 407 and TG 408 is adequate for evaluation of diuron If the effects of diuron on both rats (Fernandes et al 2007, Fernandes et al 2012, Grassi et al 2011) and lizard (Cardone et al 2008) are considered, it seems that diuron may have both estrogenic-and androgenic effects on animals.…”

TESTICULAR HISTOMORPHOLOGY; EFFECTS OF RECOMBINANT HUMAN INTERFERON-α-2B IN ALBINO RAT MODEL

“…The findings of present study are in agreement with previous studies. [15][16][17][18] On the contrary, other studies reported none of such adverse effects. Those previous studies reported no adverse effects of rhINFα-2b on the spermatogenesis.…”

Toxicity of diuron in human cancer cells

“…Exposure of adult male rats to diuron (Fernandes et al, 2007), or perinatal and juvenile diuron-exposure of male rats (Fernandes et al, 2012) did not alter plasma testosterone levels, daily sperm production or sperm morphology and motility. In the sea urchin, exposure to diuron caused malformations of the embryos and inhibited the fertilization rate (Manzo et al, 2006), whereas in lizards, testosterone levels were significantly decreased (Cardone et al, 2008).…”