RESUMO
The current study was designed to assess the toxic responses of dichlorvos and carbaryl on male reproductive system of growing rats Daily doses of 1/100 LD[50] of either insecticides were given by gavage to immature rats for 10 and 15 weeks. Our results revealed that both insecticides have adverse effects on the reproductive system of male rats through: decreased weights of testis, epididymis and accessory sex organs, impairment of sperm cell characters [declined epididymal sperm count, percent of live cells and sperm motility and increased dead and abnormal sperms], the degenerative changes of testicular tissue and alteration of the physiological hormonal balance. Dichlorvos treated rats showed significant decrease in serum concentration of testosterone, FSH and LH, while the effect of carbaryl exposure was restricted to testosterone level alteration. Histological examination of the liver, kidney and testis of the treated rats revealed degenerative changes of hepatocytes, glomerular atrophy, and destruction of seminiferous tubules, respectively. All results were directly proportionate with the period of exposure