Organophosphates are among the most widely used synthetic insect pesticides. The widespread use of organophosphates has stimulated research into the possible existence of effects related with their reproductive toxic activity. Present study was therefore, undertaken to assess the effects of chlorpyrifos on testes, the main organ of male reproduction. Chlorpyrifos at the dose levels of 7.5, 12.5 and 17.5 mg/kg b. wt./day was administered orally to male rats of Wistar strain for 30 days to evaluate the toxic alterations in testicular histology, biochemistry, sperm dynamics and testosterone levels. The body weight of animals did not show any significant change, however, a significant reduction was observed in testes. Chlorpyrifos also brought about marked reduction in epididymal and testicular sperm counts in exposed males and a decrease in serum testosterone concentration. Histopathological examination of testes showed mild to severe degenerative changes in seminiferous tubules at various dose levels. Fertility test showed 85% negative results. A significant reduction in the sialic acid content of testes and testicular glycogen was noticed, whereas the protein and cholesterol content was raised at significant levels. All these toxic effects are moderate at low doses and become severe at higher dose levels. From the results of the present study it is concluded that chlorpyrifos induces severe testicular damage and results in reduction in sperm count and thus affect fertility. Small changes in sperm counts are known to have adverse affects on human fertility. Therefore, application of such insecticide should be limited to a designed programme.

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A surge to increase the production via usage of chemicals at both industrial and agricultural arena has forced humans to be routinely and imprudently exposed to a wide variety of endocrine disrupting chemicals. The overall aim of the study was to evaluate possible relation that might exist between bisphenol-A (BPA) and the adipose tissue hormones, and further impact on adiposopathy.In the present study, the role of BPA, an ''endocrine disruptor'' with respect to adiposopathy was evaluated in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. For the study, 150 healthy control subjects and 150 newly diagnosed diabetes patients were recruited. Fasting venous blood samples was analyzed for several biochemical parameters such as serum glucose, lipid profile, insulin, adiponectin, leptin, TNF-a, IL-6, IL-1, free fatty acid. Concentrations of BPA were also measured both in control and diabetic subjects. Serum BPA concentration was found to be significantly higher in diabetic subjects in comparison to the control subjects. Levels of BPA were found to be positively correlated with BMI and WC in diabetic subjects. Also, it was found to be positively correlated with leptin and negatively correlated with adiponectin in diabetic subjects. Therefore, the current study suggested more deleterious effect of BPA on diabetes and its pathophysiology.

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the teratogenic and behavioral effects of perinatal exposure to cyfluthrin (Synthetic Pyrethroid) on mice offspring. Humans are exposed to this compound as it is widely used in various household insecticide formulations and in public health programmes. Pregnant females were exposed to 16 mg/kg (low dose) and 32 mg/kg (high dose) body weight cyfluthrin daily by oral intubation from gestation day 14 through parturition and lactation up to weaning. On 18th day of gestation, 50% females were euthanized for teratological studies and the remaining were allowed to deliver their pups normally. The fetuses were weighed and observed for gross external malformations and routine teratological examination was done. The neonates were observed for neuromotor reflexes (surface righting, tail hang reflex and pivoting) from day 1 up to day 7 after birth. Movement and exploratory behavior of weanlings were observed using ‘open-field’ and ‘hole-board.’ The fetuses did not show any external malformation. Skeletal aberrations observed included poor ossification of the skull and phalanges and short ribs. Surface righting and pivoting were significantly affected by the high dose. Both doses produced significant changes in the locomotion, exploration, and rearing frequencies in the open-field. The study indicates that cyfluthrin when administered at the above-mentioned doses did not elicit significant teratogenicity but both the doses caused significant difference in behavioral activities.