Individual and combined effect of chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin on reproductive system of adult male albino rats

Abstract

Commercial mixtures of chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin pesticides are widely used to enhance the toxic effects of cypermethrin on target insects. So, the purpose of the current study was to evaluate the individual and combined toxic effects of chlorpyrifos (CPF) and cypermethrin (CYP) on reproductive system of adult male albino rats. Forty adult male albino rats were randomized into main four groups: group I (control group) included 16 rats, subdivided into negative and positive control; group II (eight rats) received chlorpyrifos 6.75 mg/kg b.w./orally∕daily); group III (eight rats) (received cypermethrin 12.5 mg/kg b.w./orally∕daily); and group IV (eight rats) (received chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin at the same previously mentioned doses). All treatments were given by oral gavage for 12 weeks. We found that single CPF and CYP exposures significantly have adverse effects on reproductive function of adult male albino rats manifested by reduced testicular weight, decreased sperm count, motility and viability, significantly increased percent of morphologically abnormal spermatozoa, and significant increments in sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) with respect to control group. Furthermore, serum follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone levels were decreased significantly compared to control group. This was accompanied with histopathological changes in the testis of rats such as necrosis, degeneration, decreasing number of spermatogenic cells in some seminiferous tubules, edema, congested blood vessels, and exudate in interstitial tissue of the testis. Notably, all these changes were exaggerated in rats treated concomitantly with chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin rendering the mixture more toxic than the additive effects of each compound and causing greater damage on the reproductive system of male albino rats than the individual pesticides.

In vitro exposure to CPF affects bovine sperm epigenetic gene methylation pattern and the ability of sperm to support fertilization and embryo development

“…In this study, we have investigated the effects of in vitro exposure to CPF on various functional parameters of bovine spermatozoa (Moce and Graham, ) and examined the possible causes of the alterations observed. Results revealed a significant correlation between in vitro exposure of spermatozoa to CPF and adverse effects on total and progressive motility which are in agreement with sperm reported in humans, bovines and rats (Salazar‐Arredondo et al, ; Selvaraju et al, ; Alaa‐Eldin et al, ).…”

“…The high surface area to volume ratio (approximately 50:1) render sperm highly susceptible to the negative effects of pollutants that can impair sperm count, motility, morphology, and fertilization rates (Salazar-Arredondo et al, 2008;Selvaraju et al, 2011;Alaa-Eldin et al, 2017).…”

“…Furthermore, CPF can cause serious defects in spermatogenesis, reducing semen quality in a murine animal model in vivo (Sai et al, 2014;Alaa-Eldin et al, 2017;Peiris and Dhanushka, 2017), and interfering as an endocrine disruptor (ED) (Ventura et al, 2016) with the hypothalamicpituitary endocrine function, affecting spermatogenesis in exposed workers (Recio et al, 2005;Mandal et al, 2012).…”

Quinoa Mitigates Chlorfenapyr-Induced Testicular Toxicity in Rats

“…Kumar, A. and Nagar (2014) studied the histomorphometric of testis in deltamethrin treated albino rats and found the increase in testis weight as the repeated doses of the pesticide in rats caused an edematous fluid accumulation between the tubules and focally at sites within some of the tubules. Both epididymal epithelial cells and spermatozoa in the lumen are targets for xenobiotics; such exposures can result in undesirable toxic effects (Alaa-Eldin et al, 2017;Khalaf et al, 2021). Epididymis requires continuous androgenic stimulation for their normal growth and functions.…”

“…Insecticides are chemicals used for controlling pests on plants or animals and may have biopharmacological effects such as inducing stress, imbalance of hormones and/or physiological effects and reproductive toxicity (Alaa-Eldin et al, 2017;Sleem et al, 2019;Khalaf et al, 2021).…”