Effect of phosalone on testicular tissue and in vitro fertilizing potential

ABSTRACT

The current study aimed to evaluate the effects of phosalone [PLN] as an organophosphate [OP] compound on testicular tissue, hormonal alterations and embryo development in rats. In this experimental study, we divided 18 mature Wistar rats into three groups-control, control-sham and test [n=6 per group]. Animals in the test group received one-fourth the lethal dose [LD50] of PLN [150 mg/kg], orally, once per day for 45 days. DNA laddering and epi-fluorescent analyses were performed to evaluate testicular DNA fragmentation and RNA damage, respectively. Serum levels of testosterone and inhibin-B [IN-B] were evaluated. Testicular levels of total antioxidant capacity [TAC], total thiol molecules [TTM] and glutathione peroxidase [GSH-px] were analyzed. Finally, we estimated sperm parameters and effect of PLN on embryo development. Two-way ANOVA was used for statistical analyses. There was severe DNA fragmentation and RNA damage in testicular tissue of animals that received PLN. PLN remarkably [p<0.05] decreased testicular TAC, TTM and GSH-px levels. Animals that received PLN exhibited significantly [p<0.05] decreased serum levels of testosterone and IN-B. Reduced sperm count, viability, motility, chromatin condensation and elevated sperm DNA damage were observed in the test group rats. PLN resulted in significant [p<0.05] reduction of in vitro fertilizing [IVF] potential and elevated embryonic degeneration. PLN reduced fertilization potential and embryo development were attributed to a cascade of impacts on the testicles and sperm. PLN promoted its impact by elevating DNA and RNA damages via down-regulation of testicular endocrine activity and antioxidant status