Effect of organophosphorus (dimethoate) and pyrethroid (deltamethrin) pesticides on semen characteristics in rabbits

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to determine the effect of chronic treatment with two sublethal doses of Dimethoate (organo-phosphorus) or Deltamethrin (pyrethroid) on body weight and semen characteristics in adult male rabbits. Pesticide treatment resulted in a decline in body weight, libido, ejaculate volume, sperm concentration and semen initial fructose; and an increase in abnormal and dead sperm and methylene blue reduction time. In this regard Dimethoate showed greater effects than Deltamethrin. The hazardous effect of these pesticides on semen quality continued during the post-treatment period, and was dose-dependent. This deleterious effect on sperm formation together with the decline in libido suggest a decrease in testosterone secretion by pesticide treatment.

The relation between urinary metabolite of pyrethroid insecticides and semen quality in humans

“…Their reproductive and endocrine toxicities have been extensively investigated in recent years (12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17). Animal and limited human studies also suggested possible associations of pyrethroid exposure with semen quality (18)(19)(20)(21). In our previous studies, the relationships between occupational exposure to pyrethroids and altered semen quality or sperm genotoxicities, in terms of DNA damage and numerical chromosome aberrations, were found (12,15,21).…”

Dimethoate inhibits steroidogenesis by disrupting transcription of the steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) gene

“…In fact, investigators have shown that repeated exposure to Dimethoate decreases serum testosterone levels, testicular weight, and sperm motility and increases the percentage of dead and abnormal sperm in rats and rabbits (Salem et al 1988, Afifi et al 1991. Moreover, it accumulates in the testes where it persists for weeks even after its oral administration is stopped (Afifi et al 1991).…”

Persistence of pyrethroid Deltamethrin and its effects on extra virgin olive oil quality

“…Clinical manifestations of acute Deltamethrin poisoning have been documented in occupationally and accidentally exposed cases. Moreover, a number of studies on the side effects of this insecticide have been detailed, including neurotoxicity, immune-suppression and allergy [ 5,6,7], hypertension [8], decreased testosterone levels [9] and genotoxic, immunotoxic and tumorogenic effects of Deltamethrin in mammalian and non-mammalian species [10,11]. The main reaction involved in the metabolism of Deltamethrin in mice and rats is ester cleavage mainly due to the action of carboxyesterase.…”