Histomorphological Changes in Testis of Rats with Prolonged Exposure to Allethrin-Based Mosquito Coil Smoke

Area of Science:

• Reproductive toxicology
• Histopathology

Background:

• Mosquito coils containing allethrin are widely used for insect control.
• Concerns exist regarding the potential health impacts of inhaling pyrethroid-based smoke.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of prolonged mosquito coil smoke inhalation on rat testicular histomorphology.
• To assess the impact on serum testosterone levels in rats exposed to mosquito coil smoke.

Main Methods:

• Twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control and experimental groups.
• The experimental group was exposed to allethrin-based mosquito coil smoke for 4 hours daily over 12 weeks.
• Serum testosterone, seminiferous tubule diameter, germinal epithelium height, and testicular capsule thickness were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Mosquito coil smoke exposure led to a significant decrease in serum testosterone levels (p <0.001).
• Histological analysis revealed significantly dilated seminiferous tubules, reduced germinal epithelium height, and thickened testicular capsules in the exposed group (p <0.001).

Conclusions:

• Prolonged inhalation of allethrin-based mosquito coil smoke adversely affects testicular morphology.
• This exposure significantly reduces serum testosterone levels, indicating potential reproductive toxicity.