Evaluation of biochemical, hematological, and genotoxic parameters in mice exposed to individual and combined ethoprophos and cadmium

Abstract

Environmental contamination by complex mixtures of pesticides and metals is a major health problem in agriculture and industry. In real life scenarios, we are exposed to mixtures of chemicals rather than single chemicals, and therefore it is critical to assess their toxicity. The current work was conducted to assess the toxic effects of a low dose (2% median lethal dose) of ethoprophos (Etho, 0.16 mg kg⁻¹ bw), and cadmium (Cd, 0.63 mg kg⁻¹ bw); each alone or in combination on hematological, biochemical, and genotoxic parameters in male mice for one or four weeks. The tested toxicants resulted in a decline in body and organs weights, the most hematological indices, acetylcholine esterase activity, and the total protein content, while they significantly increased liver and kidney function parameters. Furthermore, they increased the mitotic index (MI), number of abnormal sperms, and chromosomes. In conclusion, Etho and Cd induce deleterious effects on all tested parameters in male mice which reflect more obvious impacts when both combined, particularly after 28 days of exposure. However, further research is needed to confirm toxicokinetic or toxicodynamic interactions between these two toxic compounds in the organisms.

Keywords:

• Ethoprophos
• cadmium
• biomarkers
• biochemical parameters
• joint action

Author contributions

K. S. El-Gendy: conceptualization, supervision, conceived the project, writing the manuscript. Kh. A. Osman: collection and analysis of published data, data curation, software, writing—review, and editing. E. M. Ezz El-Din: methodology, visualization, validation, writing-original draft. A. S. El-Seedy: methodology, writing—review, and editing. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

All data are available upon request from the author.

Additional information

Funding

The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.