ABSTRACT
Zineb is one of the ethylene-bis-dithiocarbamate fungicides which are widely used for the plant protection especially grains, vegetables and fruits. Potential exposure to zineb can occur in workers engaged in the production and use of the fungicide, people living in agricultural areas where the compound is sprayed and people consuming polluted products. Zineb can produce toxic effects on the testes and chromosomes. This study was performed to evaluate the possible protective role of vitamin [E] against zineb-induced toxicity on the testicular structure and chromosomal pattern of adult male albino rats. Ninety six albino rats equally divided into six groups were used; the first group was used as a negative control. The second group: each rat was given l C.C. distilled water orally once daily for 3 months and the third group: each rat was given I C.C. com oil orally once daily for 3 months were used as positive control groups. The fourth group: each rat was given 1/10 LOSO of zineb which is 5 gm/Kg. body weight once daily orally for three months. The fifth group: each rat was given vitamin [E] I 00 mg/kg once daily orally for three months. The six group: each rat was given both zineb and vitamin [E] for three months. At the end of the study [after 3 months]. The tests of zineb-treated rats [group 4] showed significant histopathological alterations in the form of distorted 1>eminiferous tubules with irregular contour. The tubules were shrunken and attain different shapes and separated from each- other by wide interstitial spaces. These changes were confirmed by electron microscope that showed marked loss of spennatogenic cells, the distorted spennatids had an irregular outline and their nuclei showed densely packed chromatin material. Their cytoplasm was poor with organoids. Leydig cells appeared with irregular outlined nuclei. The rats of group 6 [zineb and vitamin E group] showed less histopathological changes when compared with group 4 [zineb group]. Moreover, chromosomal study of zineb-treated rats showed a significant increase in the frequency of structural and numerical chromosomal aberrations when compared with groups 1, 2 and 3 and group 6 [zineb and vitamin E group]. It could be concluded that chronic zineb exposure can induce testicular and chromosomal abnormalities, while simultaneous administration of vitamin [E] can ameliorate such toxic effects, indicating that vitamin [E] can play a protective role against the toxic effects of zineb on the testis and chromosomal pattern of adult male albino rats