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Reproductive toxicity and histopathological changes induced by lambda-cyhalothrin in male mice
Ali S Al-Sarar1, Yasser Abobakr, Alaa E Bayoumi
1Plant Protection Department, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.
Abstract:
Lambda-cyhalothrin (LCT) is a widely used broad-spectrum pyrethroid insecticide. Oral LCT administration to adult male mice at 3 doses (0.2, 0.4, and 0.8 mg/kg/day) for 6 weeks caused a significant reduction in the weight of the seminal vesicles. The epididymal sperm count was lower in mice that received at the highest dose than in control mice. However, the proportions of live and motile spermatozoa were reduced at both the medium and the high doses compared with control mice. All doses induced an increase in the number of morphologically abnormal spermatozoa. Histopathological observations of the testes, liver, kidneys, and spleen showed dose-related degenerative damage in LCT-treated mice. The results indicate that LCT has reproductive toxicity, hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and splenotoxicity in male mice at the tested doses. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 29: 750-762, 2014.
Insights
Lambda-cyhalothrin (LCT) insecticide exposure significantly harms male mouse reproductive health, causing reduced sperm counts and increased abnormalities. LCT also induced dose-dependent damage to the liver, kidneys, and spleen.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Environmental Health
- Reproductive Toxicology
Background:
- Lambda-cyhalothrin (LCT) is a widely used pyrethroid insecticide.
- Assessing the toxicological impact of LCT on mammalian systems is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the reproductive toxicity, hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and splenotoxicity of Lambda-cyhalothrin in adult male mice.
Main Methods:
- Adult male mice were administered LCT orally at doses of 0.2, 0.4, and 0.8 mg/kg/day for 6 weeks.
- Evaluated seminal vesicle weight, epididymal sperm count, sperm morphology, and motility.
- Conducted histopathological examinations of testes, liver, kidneys, and spleen.
Main Results:
- Significant reduction in seminal vesicle weight observed across all tested doses.
- Decreased epididymal sperm count at the highest dose.
- Reduced live and motile spermatozoa proportions and increased abnormal sperm morphology at medium and high doses.
- Dose-related degenerative damage observed in testes, liver, kidneys, and spleen.
Conclusions:
- Lambda-cyhalothrin exhibits reproductive toxicity in male mice, affecting sperm parameters and reproductive organ weights.
- LCT demonstrated significant hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and splenotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner.
- These findings highlight the potential health risks associated with LCT exposure.
