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Effects of pirimiphos-methyl (an organophosphate insecticide) on the fertility of adult male rats


F Nagoula
P Watcho
M-C Dongmo
A Kenfack
P Joseph
T Joseph

Abstract



Background: Organophosphate insecticides represent one of the most widely used classes of pesticides with high potential for human exposure in both rural and residential environments.
Objective: In the present study, we investigated the effects of pirimiphos-methyl (0, 2-diethylamino-6-methylpirimidin-4-yl O, O-dimethyl phosphorothioate), an organophosphothioate pesticide, on male rat reproductive performances.
Methods: A total of 24 adult Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups of 6 animals each and orally treated with 0, 41.67, 62.5 or 125 mg/kg of pirimiphos-methyl for 90 days.
Results: Results from the study showed a significant increase (p<0.05) in feed consumption, body weight gain, relative testis and epidiydimis weights and intra-testicular cholesterol level in rats receiving the test substance at doses of 62.5 or 125mg/kg whereas a significant decrease (p<0.05) in serum total protein, sperm density and motility, fertility and parturition indices and pups sex-ratio (M/ F) was recorded in animals treated with 125 mg/Kg of pirimiphos methyl. Histological findings also indicated enlargement of interstitial space, inhibition of spermatogenesis, rarefaction of Leydig cells and oedema in testes compared to control animals.
Conclusion: It could then be concluded that pirimiphos-methyl (62.5 and 125mg/kg) is detrimental to the reproductive potentials of male rats.


Keywords: pirimiphos-methyl, spermatogenesis, fertility, male rats

African Health Sciences Vol. 7(1) 2007: pp. 3-9

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eISSN: 1729-0503
print ISSN: 1680-6905