Absence of Effects on the Rat Sperm Quality After Subacute Exposure to Low Doses of Fungicide Prochloraz

Abstract

Prochloraz (PCZ) is a fungicide and androgen-receptor antagonist used worldwide in horticulture and agriculture. Pre- and perinatal exposure to this pesticide during sexual differentiation is deleterious for male offspring. Since data on the effects of PCZ on epididymal functions are scarce, and because sperm maturation occurs in this organ, the present investigation aimed to determine whether low PCZ doses administered to rats during the phase of sperm transit through the epididymis might affect the morphophysiology of this organ and sperm quality. Adult male Wistar rats were assigned to 4 different groups: 0 (control, vehicle) or 10, 15, or 30 mg/kg bw/d PCZ diluted in corn oil administered orally for 4 consecutive days. Morphofunctional parameters of the male reproductive tract, hormone concentrations, sperm evaluations, and fertility and histopathologic analysis of testis and epididymis were assessed. There were no statistically significant differences between treated and control groups in relation to all evaluated parameters. Data demonstrated show that PCZ exposure for a brief 4-d exposure and low doses did not produce reproductive toxicity or compromise sperm quality in adult rats.

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Funding

The authors are grateful to Dr. Janete Aparecida Anselmo Franci and Dr. Ruither de Oliveira Gomes Carolino of the Department of Morphology, Stomatology, and Physiology, Dental School of Ribeirão Preto, USP, for the hormone dosages. We are also grateful to José Eduardo Bozano, from the Department of Morphology of the São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, SP, for the excellent technical assistance. Finally, the authors are grateful to CNPq, the State of São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP), and the Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) for the financial support, as master’s-degree scholarships. Wilma De Grava Kempinas is recipient of a senior research fellowship from CNPq (National Council for Scientific and Technological Development).