Beneficial effects of methionine on the testicular and hepatic toxicity of thiocarbamate herbicide in adult male albino rats

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted on 165 adult male albino rats divided into seven groups Group I included negative control, Group II received distilled water, Group III received corn oil, Group IV [IVa and IVb] received methionine, Group V [Va and Vb] received thiocarbamate, Group VI [VIa and Vib] received methionine 1/2 hour after thiocarbamate and Group VII [VIIa and VIIb] received methionine two hours after thiocarbamate. Groups IVa, Va, VIa and VIIa were sacrificed after 48 hours; while groups I, II, III, IVb, Vb, VIb and VIIb were sacrificed after three weeks. Serum testosterone, estimation of testis weight, liver function tests [AST, ALT, ALP and T. Bil], histochemical and histopathological examination were done. The results showed that thiocarbamate caused testicular and hepatic toxicity and its severity increased by time. Methionine was found to be a promising protective agent against such toxicity through glutathione dependent mechanism. Also, the earlier it was given, the better protection could be offered