Plant Growth Regulator (4-Chlorophenoxy Acetic Acid) Increases Apoptosis in Gonads of Rats without Changing Hormonal Levels

Abstract

Background/Aims: Plant growth regulators are considered to leave minimal amounts of remnants and therefore cause no significant side effects in humans. In this study, we aimed to investigate the hormonal and histopathological effects of 4-chlorophenoxy acetic acid (4-CPA), a commonly used plant growth regulator, on the gonadal functions of rats. Methods: The study was implemented on 64 Wistar albino rats (20 days old). Forty-eight rats received 4-CPA every day until 50 days of age. The rats were randomized into 4 groups (a control group and three 4-CPA groups with doses of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg/day); each group was further divided into males and females, making a total of 8 groups. The levels of FSH, LH, testosterone, estradiol, leptin, inhibin-B and neuropeptide-Y were measured. Histopathological examination of the testes and ductus deferens in male rats, and ovaries and uterus of female rats (caspase-3 and -9 immunoreactivity) was performed. Results:Although hormone levels were similar between the groups, rats that received 4-CPA showed significantly higher degrees of apoptosis compared to the control group (p < 0.001) and increased doses of 4-CPA were directly correlated with the amount of apoptosis (p < 0.001). Conclusion: 4-CPA induced apoptosis in the gonads of rats without concurrent changes in plasma hormone levels.

Assessment toxic effects of exposure to 3-indoleacetic acid via hemato-biochemical, hormonal, and histopathological screening in rats

“…In spite of the importance of PGRs in agricultural fields, commercially used exogenous PGRs and those of natural origin produced by plants can accumulate in the environment and have different hazardous impacts on all living creatures if applied at inappropriate concentrations and times (Yeşilkaya et al 2009). Also, anthropogenic activities are important way for the more accumulation of IAA in the environment (Barden, 2010) as well as the IAA degrades into hazardous products of carbon monoxide and oxides of nitrogen in the environment (Paranjape et al 2015).…”

“…Also, anthropogenic activities are important way for the more accumulation of IAA in the environment (Barden, 2010) as well as the IAA degrades into hazardous products of carbon monoxide and oxides of nitrogen in the environment (Paranjape et al 2015). Living organisms may be exposed to PGRs, including IAA via inhalation, dermal contact, or ingestion of contaminated water or food rich in vegetable stems (Yeşilkaya et al 2009;Hac-Wydro and Flasiński 2015).…”

“…Various plant growth regulators (PGRs), both natural or synthetic, are used nowadays in agriculture to improve the quality of crops and increase their resistance to diseases and harmful insects as well as to enhance their storage ability (Yeşilkaya et al 2009 ). Plant growth regulators have five major groups recognized namely as auxins, cytokinin, gibberellins, ethylene generators, and abscisic acid.…”

The in vitro effects of gibberellin on human sperm motility

“…Specifically, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid reduced the ability of human spermatozoa to penetrate a viscous medium and diminished their capacitation abilities and acrosome reaction rates [10]. Another PGR, 4-chlorophenoxy acetic acid, was found to induce apoptosis in rat gonads [11]. Ethephon, still another PGR, induced chromosomal aberrations (structural and numerical) in spermatocytes and stimulated the expression of γH2AX, an early and sensitive biomarker of genotoxic damage [12, 13].…”