ABSTRACT
Aim: to investigate the sub chronic toxicity of thiamethoxam on some parameters of reproductive performance in adult male rabbits including gene expression of LDH-C4, FSH? and LH? and GnRHR. Method: sixteen adult male Chinchilla rabbits were divided into two equal groups. Animals in the first group were treated orally with TMX at dose of 250 mg/kg body weight for 90 days. The second group was served as control. Result: Obtained results showed that TMX increased the relative weight of some reproductive organs including testis and prostate. Hormonal analysis revealed that, TMX induced a significant elevation in the serum testosterone level, while the concentrations of FSH and LH hormones did not exhibit any alterations between treated and control groups. In addition, LDH-C4, FSH? and LH? and GnRHR genes were down regulated in TMX treated group. Conclusion: Administration of thiamethoxam for 90 days in male rabbits induced a noticeable adverse effect on serum testosterone level and down regulated genes related to male rabbit reproductive performance