Effects of Pesticides on Testes at Ultrastructural and Hormonal Levels

Abstract

Aim: Endocrine disruptors damage the functions of hormones in the body by imitating or blocking them. They and their metabolites change hormone levels and functions in the body. Pesticides constitute a significant group of endocrine disruptors. It is known that Profenofos, and 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) have negative effects on male genital system. However, studies about the effect on ultrastructural size are limited. Therefore, it is intended to compare the effect of MCPA and Profenofos on the ultrastructural level of the testes.

Material and Methods: There were three groups in the study (control, Profenofos, MCPA), each of which included ten fourteen-week-old male rats. Electron microscopy and biochemical investigation were performed on the excluded tissues of the testes.

Results: In histopathologic investigations, spermatogenesis was healthy in the control group. Structural degenerations were observed on spermatogenic cells and Sertoli cells in the profenofos group. The gaps among spermatogenetic cells, cellular degeneration (i.e. structural damage) in the MCPA group was more obvious than in the Profenofos group. Considering the biochemical results, a significant decrease in testosterone level was observed in the animals receiving both profonefos and MCPA.

Discussion: Profenofos and MCPA prevent the healthy continuation of spermatogenesis and therefore may cause infertility.