Maternal exposure during organogenesis to chlorpyrifos insecticide induce apoptosis process

Nowadays, one of the issues that matter in infertility is abortion or teratogenicity of embryos, followed by environmental pollution. Additionally, the continuous use of pesticides as the requirements of modern agriculture can increase the number of released radicals, which ultimately affects cell membranes and cell death via apoptosis pathway.

NMRI mice were divided into 3 groups: (1) Chlorpyrifos received group, (2) DMSO received as the sham group, (3) Control group. The mice were mated and euthanized 10 days post gestation. The number of embryos, progesterone and estradiol hormones and the liver enzymes levels of mouse mothers were evaluated in each group. The apoptosis pathway genes (Bax and Bcl2) and protein expressions (Caspase3 and Caspase9) were evaluated in the embryos of each group by qPCR and immunohistochemistry staining, respectively.

The number of embryos in the experimental group was significantly lower than from the other groups. The liver enzymes and hormone levels were higher in CPF induced mice in comparison to the others. The mRNA expression of Bax in the embryos was significantly higher in the CPF group compared to sham and control groups. Caspase3 and Caspase9 protein expression revealed a higher rate of apoptosis in CPF group embryos.

Continuous use of Chlorpyrifos can be regarded as having a negative effect on pregnancy as well as raising the mechanism of apoptosis in the development of embryos that may contribute to abortion or the birth of teratogenic disorders embryos.