Exposure to Atrazine Elicits Morpho-Physiological and Testicular Dysfuntions in adult male rats

ABSTRACT

@#Some of the environmental toxicants acting as endocrine disruptors have been associated with health hazards in human and wildlife by modulating hormonal actions. The widely used herbicide; atrazine (ATZ) is a potent endocrine and testicular disruptor. However, studies on it remain largely inconclusive especially whether the effects are reversible or permanent. We therefore designed this study to evaluate the histological and hormonal changes associated with differential ATZ exposure. Twenty (20) adult male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups (5 rats per group) control and three experimental groups. Control received the vehicle; the 3 groups received ATZ, 38.5, 77.0 and 154.0 mg/kg bw/day for 30 days respectively. The effects of Atrazine were assessed through histopathological observation, spermatozoa quality examination and reproductive hormone levels. Results showed that irrespective of the ATZ dose, there was significant decrease in weight, severe pathological changes in testicular tissue, decrease in the quality of semen and altered luteinizing hormone (LH) of the rats. Taken together, our findings showed that ATZ exposure could lead to poor reproductive ability in male Wistar rats