Testicular toxicity of chlorpyrifos (an organophosphate pesticide) in albino rat

Abstract

Organophosphates are among the most widely used synthetic insect pesticides. The widespread use of organophosphates has stimulated research into the possible existence of effects related with their reproductive toxic activity. Present study was therefore, undertaken to assess the effects of chlorpyrifos on testes, the main organ of male reproduction. Chlorpyrifos at the dose levels of 7.5, 12.5 and 17.5 mg/kg b. wt./day was administered orally to male rats of Wistar strain for 30 days to evaluate the toxic alterations in testicular histology, biochemistry, sperm dynamics and testosterone levels. The body weight of animals did not show any significant change, however, a significant reduction was observed in testes. Chlorpyrifos also brought about marked reduction in epididymal and testicular sperm counts in exposed males and a decrease in serum testosterone concentration. Histopathological examination of testes showed mild to severe degenerative changes in seminiferous tubules at various dose levels. Fertility test showed 85% negative results. A significant reduction in the sialic acid content of testes and testicular glycogen was noticed, whereas the protein and cholesterol content was raised at significant levels. All these toxic effects are moderate at low doses and become severe at higher dose levels. From the results of the present study it is concluded that chlorpyrifos induces severe testicular damage and results in reduction in sperm count and thus affect fertility. Small changes in sperm counts are known to have adverse affects on human fertility. Therefore, application of such insecticide should be limited to a designed programme.

Protective effect ofBasella albaandCarpolobia albaextracts against maneb-induced male infertility

“…Similarly, Al-Thani et al (2003) observed impaired spermatogenesis coupled with the reduction in the number of females fertilized by male mice treated with the pesticide amitraz. A decline in fertility was also observed by Joshi et al (2007), Yu et al (2009) and Shalaby et al (2010) after the administration of chlorpyrifos, carbendazim or methomyl pesticides to male rats. Maneb-induced infertility was associated to serum testosterone inhibition.…”

Prolonged administration of proguanil induces reproductive toxicity in male rats

“…This could be linked with the testicular and epididymal damage reported in this study. In a similar fi nding, chlorpyrifos was reported to cause severe testicular damage which resulted in reduction in sperm count and thus fertility in male mice (Farag et al, 2010;Joshi et al, 2007).…”

Reproductive and Developmental Toxicity of Insecticides

“…Chlorpyrifos orally administered to male rats at the dose levels of 7.5, 12.5 and 17.5 mg/kg b. wt. /day for 30 days showed a decrease in serum testosterone concentration (Joshi et al, 2007). Treatment of rats with the insecticide heptachlor suppressed estradiol concentrations in blood and reduced the production of estradiol by ovarian cells of treated rats Rami et al, 1995).…”

“…It was observed that, at the end of 4th and 7th weeks there was a statistically significant decrease in sperm counts and sperm motility, increase in abnormal sperm morphology Meltem et al (2007). Joshi et al (2007) investigated the effects of chlorpyrifos on testes. Chlorpyrifos methyl orally administered to male rats at the dose levels of 7.5, 12.5 and 17.5 mg/kg b. wt.…”