Histological and immunohistochemical studies on the effect of malathion and the protective role of vitamin (C)‎ on the ovary of adult female albino rats

Abstract EN

Background: Malathion is an organophosphorus insecticide (DPI) widely used in agriculture to disinfect crops and stored grains and in some medicine to treat lice and scabies.

In this way it can reach to general population and not only to persons working with it.

Malathion at low dose is toxic to many organs/systems of the body and it has been observed that oxidative stress may have a role in malathion toxic action.

Many researches have been done on its effect on male genital system, meanwhile studies on the female reproductive system especially the ovary are limited and need further investigations.

Aim of work: Is to study the effect of chronic exposure to malathion on the ovary and the role of vitamin C in ameliorating the possible changes induced by malathion.

Material and methods: A total number of 70 young adult female rats were used and divided into three groups.

Group r 10 animals were kept as control group.

Group 11:30 animals treated with malathion at a dose of 100 mg/kg/day by intragastric tube for two months.

Group Hi: 30 animals treated with vitamin C in a dose of 20 mg/l 00gm/day given two hours earlier before the dose of malathion for two months.

Animals were sacrificed and their ovaries were processed and examined using histological and immunohistochemicai (PCNA and Caspase 3) and morphometry techniques.

Results: After malathion treatment, the ovary showed significant decrease in the number and size of various types of follicles associated with a significant increase in the atretic follicles.

Oocytes looked shrunken with irregular ZP and ill defined nucleolus.

Immunohistochemically, there was an increase in the intensity of caspase 3 (marker of apoptosis) reaction and decrease in the PCNA (marker for cell proliferation) immunostaining.

Treatment with vitamin C as antioxidant showed some improvement in the ovary Conclusion: Malathion induced direct ovarian damage that will affect the fertility and the coadministration with vitamin C can partially ameliorate these changes.

So it is not completely protective.