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Updated: Dec 21, 2025
Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants
Published on: March 6, 2018
Short- and long-term exposure to methamidophos impairs spermatogenesis in mice
Renata Karine de Carvalho1, Thamyres Cunha Rodrigues1, Walter Dias Júnior2
1Department of Pharmacology, Laboratory of Physiology and Pharmacology of Reproduction, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
Abstract:
Methamidophos (MET) is a pesticide that has toxic properties, including effects on fertility. This study aimed to assess the joint action of treatment time and exposure to methamidophos on the male reproductive system. MET was orally administered to adult male Swiss mice at a dose of 0.004 mg.kg-1 for 15 and 50 consecutive days. The following parameters were evaluated: weight of reproductive organs, spermatogenesis, sperm and Sertoli cell count, daily sperm production and sperm transit time. Short-term exposure to methamidophos induced a decrease in epididymal weight. The frequency of stages V-VI of spermatogenesis increased and the frequency of stage IX decreased. In the epididymis, sperm transit time (caput/corpus) was reduced and the relative sperm number (cauda) increased. Long-term exposure induced an increase in the frequencies of stages I-IV and V-VI and decreased the stages VII-VIII and IX. The number of Sertoli cells with evident nucleoli was reduced in both exposures. These results confirm the reproductive toxicity of MET.
Insights
Methamidophos (MET) pesticide exposure harms male fertility. Both short-term and long-term exposure negatively impacted reproductive parameters in mice, confirming its toxicity.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Reproductive Biology
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Methamidophos (MET) is a widely used pesticide.
- Pesticides can exhibit toxic properties, including adverse effects on reproductive health.
- Understanding the specific impact of MET on the male reproductive system is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of different exposure durations of methamidophos on the male reproductive system in Swiss mice.
- To assess the impact of methamidophos on key reproductive parameters, including organ weight, spermatogenesis, sperm production, and Sertoli cell function.
Main Methods:
- Adult male Swiss mice were orally administered methamidophos (0.004 mg/kg) for 15 days (short-term) and 50 days (long-term).
- Evaluated parameters included reproductive organ weights, spermatogenesis staging, sperm counts, Sertoli cell counts, daily sperm production, and sperm transit time.
- Statistical analysis was performed to determine the significance of observed changes.
Main Results:
- Short-term exposure decreased epididymal weight, altered spermatogenesis stages (increased V-VI, decreased IX), reduced sperm transit time, and increased sperm count in the cauda epididymis.
- Long-term exposure further altered spermatogenesis (increased I-IV and V-VI, decreased VII-VIII and IX).
- Both exposure durations reduced the number of Sertoli cells with evident nucleoli, indicating cellular damage.
Conclusions:
- Methamidophos exposure, even at low doses, demonstrates significant reproductive toxicity in male mice.
- Both short-term and long-term exposure negatively affect spermatogenesis and Sertoli cell health.
- These findings highlight the potential risks of methamidophos to male reproductive function.
