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Testicular toxicity of profenofos in matured male rats

Gihan Gamal Moustafa1, Zein Shaban Ibrahim, Yoshiharu Hashimoto

  • 1Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Environmental Veterinary Sciences, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, N18, W9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-0818, Japan.

Archives of Toxicology
|June 15, 2007
PubMed

Insights

The insecticide profenofos significantly increased male-specific steroidogenesis genes in rat testes, causing testicular damage. These genes, along with the acrosomal reaction gene, may serve as biomarkers for profenofos-induced testicular toxicity.

Area of Science:

  • Toxicology
  • Reproductive Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Organophosphate insecticides like profenofos are widely used in agriculture.
  • Exposure to environmental toxicants can disrupt male reproductive health.
  • Understanding the molecular mechanisms of insecticide toxicity is crucial for risk assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of profenofos exposure on male rat reproductive gene expression.
  • To identify potential molecular biomarkers for profenofos-induced testicular toxicity.

Main Methods:

  • 16-week-old Wistar rats were orally administered profenofos (17.8 mg/kg) twice weekly for 65 days.
  • Gene expression analysis using DNA microarray and real-time RT-PCR.
  • Histopathological examination of testicular tissues.

Main Results:

  • Profenofos significantly upregulated genes involved in steroidogenesis: cytochrome P450 17A1 (CYP17A1), steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), and CYP11A1.
  • Histopathology revealed testicular destruction, degeneration, vacuolated spermatogonial cells, and elongated Leydig cells.
  • Increased expression of genes related to steroidogenesis and acrosomal reaction.

Conclusions:

  • Profenofos acts as a male reproductive toxicant, inducing significant testicular damage.
  • Upregulated steroidogenic genes (CYP17A1, StAR, CYP11A1) and the acrosomal reaction gene are proposed as potential biomarkers for testicular toxicity.

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