Pyrethroids Exposure: Implications For Testicular Dysfunction In Rats

Pyrethroids are synthetic pesticides which at low dose of exposure are harmless to humans but at environmentallyhigh concentrations they cause debilitating effects in humans and animals alike. Lack of regulation of theinsecticide applications in agriculture and among Nigerian households is therefore a cause for health concern.The reproductive effects of these chemicals are not precisely known. Twenty healthy, sexually active male Wistarrats were randomly divided into four groups. Three groups were exposed to the insecticide in sprayed puffs fromthe aerosolized insecticide for 15, 30 and 45 seconds/day respectively in air – tight plastic housing for 60 dayswhile one group served as the untreated control. All animals were euthanized via cervical dislocation; the testeswere excised and fixed in Bouin’s fluid for routine histological studies using haematoxylin and eosin. The caudaepididymis was also excised for semen quality evaluation. Reduced body weight, alteration of testicularmicrostructure and significant increase in the proportion of abnormal and non-motile sperm cells were observedin animals exposed to pyrethroid. Exposure to pyrethroid insecticide may lead to body weight loss accompaniedwith testicular dysfunction possibly leading to sterility in the rats.