ABSTRACT
Diazinon, an organophosphorous insecticide has been used in agriculture and domestic purposes for several years. The aim of this study was to analyze the reproductive toxicity induced by diazinon which caused biochemical and ultrastructural changes in adult male Wistar rats and to evaluate the possible protective effect of vitamin C. Vitamin C [200mg/Kg, once daily], diethyl-ether [0.02 ml/Kg, once daily], diazinon [10mg/Kg, once daily in] and vitamin C [200mglKg, once daily] + diazinon [10mglKg per day, once daily] combination were given to rats orally via gavage for 4 weeks. Testicular functions were assessed by testicular sperm count, sperm motility, biochemical studies and histopathology. By the end of the 4[th] week, rats given diazinon alone had significantly lower sperm count and sperm motility than the untreated control rats. Also, the rats given diazinon had significantly lower testosterone level, higher MDA [malondialdehyde] and lower catalase levels than the control group. Co- treatment of diazinon- exposed rats with vitamin C had an ameliorative effect on sperm count, sperm motility, testosterone, MDA and catalase levels. Light microscopic investigations revealed that 4 weeks of diazinon exposure was associated with marked testicular degenerative changes. Damage of spermatogenic cells and sertoli cells were observed by electron microscope. Mild degenerative changes were observed in the semineferous tubules andinterstitial tissues in the rats which received diazinon+ vitamin C. Thus, it appears that vitamin C ameliorates diazinon testicular toxicity but is not completely protective