Effect of methomyl on developmental toxicity and oxidative stress in male mice

Abstract EN

The intensive use of pesticide leads to severe environmental pollution and health hazards.

The present study was carried out to investigate the alterations in free radicals and enzyme activities induced by methomyl in testicular tissue of male mice and general reproductive performance.

Animals were assigned at random to one of the following treatments: group 1 served as control, while groups 2, 3 and 4 were treated with 1mg methomyl/kg body weight for 10, 20, and 30 days, respectively.

Methomyl significantly increased testicular Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS), while decreased glutathione level (GSH) and the activities of glutathione Stransferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), transaminases (AST, ALT) and acid phosphatase.

Methomyl significantly decreased the mating and fertility index, body and testis weights and relative testis weight, serum testosterone level and sperm motility and count, but increased sperm abnormality.

In conclusion, the exposure to methomyl can produce enhanced toxic effects on enzyme defense system and reproductive function on male mice and the effect was more evident in 30 days treated group.