EFFECTS OF PHOSPHOROTHIONATE ON THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM OF MALE RATS

Abstract

Acute and Sub-acute toxic effects of a new pesticide phosphorothionate coded as RPR-V on testis of albino rat were studied. For the acute study, rats received a single dose of 30 mg/kg of RPR-V and sacrificed after 24 hours. For the Subacute study, 1.42 mg/kg/day was administered orally to rats for 10 days and 21 days. Acute exposure of rats to RPR-V brought no change either in the Gonadosomatic Index (GSI) or in the structure of testis or in the serum levels of Testosterone. Similarly, no significant change was observed in the Glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity. But, in testis there was significant increased in the reduced Glutathione (GSH) and Acid Phosphatase (AcP), whereas Alkaline Phosphatase (AkP) levels decreased significantly at 24hr post treatment. On 7^thday (withdrawal period) after the cessation of the treatment the GSH, AcP, and AkP levels reached to near control. The sub-acute study revealed a significant post treatment. Due to RPR-V treatment the testis AcP levels increased significantly at 21^stday of medication but AkP levels decreased both at 10^thand 21^stday of post treatment. Histopathological studies showed that after 10^thday testis showed considerable loss of spermatozoids and at 21^stday complete derangement of cellular organization was observed. Testosterone levels decreased significantly after 10^thday and remained significantly low at 21^stday. However, withdrawal studies showed a recovery in testis of rat treated with RPR-V. GST, GSH, GSI, AcP and AkP values were recovered, testosterone levels were also recovered but recovery in testis structure remained at a low profile.

Keywords:

• Phosphorothionate
• GSI
• Testosterone
• GSH
• GST
• Acp
• AkP
• Testis
• Histopathology
• Male rat

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors express their sincere thanks to Dr.K.V.Raghvan, Director, IICT, Hyderabad and to Prof. P.R.K.Reddy, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad for their interest and encouragement during this study.