In vitrostudy of cypermethrin on human spermatozoa and the possible protective role of vitamins C and E

Abstract

Cypermethrin, a type II synthetic pyrethroid pesticide, is widely used in pest control programmes in agriculture and public health. This study aimed to assess the potential effect of cypermethrin on human spermatozoa and the possible ameliorative effects of vitamins C and E. Semen samples of 20 healthy normozoospermic men were divided into six aliquots at room temperature. The first aliquot served as control not exposed to treatments, and the second was incubated with 20 mm vit. C and 2 mm vit. E where the third one was exposed to 10 μm cypermethrin for 6 h. The other three aliquots were incubated with vit. C, vit. E and both vitamins for 30 min before cypermethrin exposure. Semen aliquots were analysed for sperm motility, sperm viability, hypo-osmotic swelling test and modified alkaline comet assay. The results demonstrated a significant decrease in sperm motion, sperm function and increased sperm DNA damage in the cypermethrin group. Addition of vitamins C and E alone/combined led to significant improvement in sperm motion, sperm function and DNA damage, being maximal with both vitamins together. It is concluded that in vitro cypermethrin can alter sperm function and induce DNA damage in spermatozoa, which is improved after using vitamins C and E.

Immunological and genotoxic effects of occupational exposure to α-cypermethrin pesticide

“…Marked DNA damage at different exons was detected for the exposed sample in one of the in vitro studies on human spermatozoa. Dramatic improvement was also observed after treatment by antioxidants (vitamins E and C), which makes the researchers recommend daily antioxidant supplementation for exposed workers [23]. Although this research had different methodology from the current study, it could support the same hypothesis of genotoxic possibility of CYP alone even on low doses.…”

Bazı Pestisitlerin Teke ve Köpek Sperması Üzerine İn Vitro Toksisiteleri

“…Since motility of the spermatozoon depends on the energy expense produced in mitochondria [21] ; MTT results in the current study, indicating the mitochondrial function, with lower IC 50 values reveal that pesticides altered the mitochondrial functions, with an over increase of hyperactivity leading to cell death. MTT method, is efficient in processing a large number of specimens and therefore may be a powerful tool for preliminary screening of toxic compounds in spermatozoa.…”

“…In the study by Zalata et al [21] in vitro effects of cypermethrin on human spermatozoa were investigated; where cypermethrin was demonstrated to preferentially get localized in the hydrophobic core of the membrane, increasing the lipid packing and decreasing the membrane fluidity. It was concluded that, cypermethrin produced oxidative stress by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reducing the antioxidant defenses.…”

Pesticides, insecticides and male infertility

“…10 A study done by Zalata et al demonstrated a significant decrease in sperm motion, sperm function and increased sperm DNA damage in the cypermethrin treated semen samples which were exposed to cypermethrin. 11 Cypermethrin was also found to cause testicular damage causing impairment of seminiferous tubules structure and decreased testosterone production in male rats with decreased spermatogenesis and raised serum FSH in these rats. 12 Acetamiprid (ACE), another insecticide used by the study population, is one of the major member in the family of neonicotinoid insecticides, which are synthesized with a higher selectivity to insects.…”