3-Monochloropropane-1,2-diol (alpha-chlorohydrin) disrupts spermatogenesis and causes spermatotoxicity in males of the Egyptian fruit-bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus)

Abstract

We evaluated the sterilizing effect of 3-monochloropropane-1, 2-diol (3-MCPD) in male Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus). We used three groups. One was treated with 70 mg/kg 3-MCPD for 4 days. The second group was treated with 3-MCPD as a bait formulation (known concentration of 3-MCPD mixed with a known amount of food). The third group was untreated controls. We compared the weights of the reproductive organs, histology of the testes, occurrence of spermatogenesis, and the count, motility and abnormalities of epididymal sperm of treated males with those of the untreated control group. 3-MCPD caused significantly decreased weights of reproductive organs, several testicular histological alterations and spermatogenic arrest accompanied by significant decreases in sperm count and motility, and significantly increased number of abnormal sperm. 3-MCPD bait was readily accepted by the animals. 3-MCPD, even in low doses and after limited exposure, disrupted spermatogenesis in males of the Egyptian fruit bat. Our findings have potential value for public health and agricultural authorities, and for vertebrate pest managers. 3-MCPD may have application for control of this pest.

Effect of α-Chlorohydrin water-bait on the fertility of captive males of the Egyptian fruit-bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus) and the proper time for controlling its free-ranging populations in Egypt

“…In the present work, the effect of ACH dose on sperm parameters is greater than that of the dose used before by Mahmoud et al (2018). ACH-treated males exhibited significantly decreased sperm count (28.3% of the control group) and significantly increased sperm deformities (284% of the abnormal sperm of the control group) compared to the previous study (31.7%, and 186.2%, respectively).…”

“…This is due to the disturbance of the Sertoli-germ cell junctions (Mesbah et al, 2008). The average thickness of the tunica albuginea in treated male bats (203.2% of the control group) was less than that observed in the previous study (271.6% of the control group) (Mahmoud et al, 2018). The increased thickness of the tunica albuginea could be explained on the basis of the decreased volume of the testicular parenchyma as suggested by Arenas et al (1997).…”

“…Captive male bats readily accepted ACH in the form of a water-bait and consumed an average daily dose of 85.7mg/kg for four consecutive days. This dose is much higher than that (59.2 mg/kg for four consecutive days) consumed by males of the same bat species in the form of fruit-baits (Mahmoud et al, 2018). The increase in the actually consumed amount of ACH was accompanied by an increase in its antifertility effects.…”

“…ACH was first tested with male Egyptian fruit-bats by Mahmoud et al (2018). They applied the chemical in the form of fruit-baits and at concentrations lower than that applied in the present study.…”

A review of the breeding biology of Chiroptera

“…Of the 11 studies found on assisted reproduction techniques (3.5%, total n = 312), five were aimed at population control, two in males, two in females, and one in both (Clarke & DeVoe 2011, Mahmoud et al 2018.…”