Effect of the pyrethroid insecticide cypermethrin on fertility in male rats

ABSTRACT

The effect of cypermethrin [ectomin] at two dosage level on male reproductive organs were studied, the tested doses 1/40 and 1/30 LD[50], respectively were given for 65 successive days to male rats. Sex organ weight, semen picture, testosterone level were the criteria used to evaluate the productive efficiency of the treated male rats. Both doses decreased the weights of most genital organs, sperm cell concentration, percentage of live sperm, sperm motility and increased the percentage of total sperm abnormalities. A decrease in the plasma testosterone level was observed in all treated groups. After 65 days on treatment and 30 days after last dose of drug administration as compared to control gorup. Histopathological examination was carried out on testes and accessory glands [prostate and seminal vesicle] there was incomplete spermatogenic process in the most of semineferous tubules, and activaiton of epithelial cell lining prostatic acini with polyps formation protruded in the lumenae with cystic formation, while seminal vesicle showed cystic dilatation with polyps formation these changes were more potent in the large dose