Investigation of the subchronic effects of low-dose pesticide mixture on rat testes

Abstract

Pesticides are chemical agents used against living things such as insects, rodents, and weeds that cause toxicity in various tissues, including reproductive organs. In order to increase the effectiveness of pesticides, active ingredients are mixed with various formulations. The current study tried to determine the effects of pesticides and their mixtures on testicular tissue in rats. For this purpose, chlormequat chloride (CCC), pirimiphos methyl (PMM), glyphosate (GLY), tebuconazole (TBZ), chlorpyrifos methyl (CPM), deltamethrin (DLM), and their mix (acceptable daily intake (ADI) and ADIx10) were administried to Sprague-Dawley rats for 90 days. As a result of the examinations, the ADIx10 group showed the most damaging effect by showing a statistical difference in terms of sperm motility and membrane integrity. The GLY group had a similar effect on membrane integrity as the ADIx10 group, while it had a moderately detrimental effect on motility. Degenerations of spermatocytes, necrosis, and edema in intertubular spaces were observed in all pesticide groups. Similarly, 8-hydroxyguanosine (8-OHdG) expression and Caspase-3 expression were moderate in all pesticide groups. Moreover, 8-OHdG expression and Caspase-3 expression were higher in the ADI and ADIx10 groups compared to other groups. As a result, pesticides and their mixtures cause histopathological changes in the testicular tissue of rats and decrease sperm quality.