Abstract
Dicofol is an organochlorine acaricide widely used in local market. The present study was conducted to evaluate how far dicofol chronic toxicity affects male fertility indices, as well as for assessment of reproductive toxicity which may result from this acaricide by estimating the sexual and reproductive hormones. Moreover, to investigate the effect on testicular function and epididymal oxidative parameters. In this investigation, two equal groups of male albino rats were orally administered dicofol, at 4.19 and 16.75 mg/kg body weight/day through drinking water (30 and 120 part per million, respectively) for consecutive 90 weeks. Dosages represent (1)/80 and (1)/20 LD50 of dicofol, respectively. The third group was kept as control group. At the end of each experimental period (16, 28 and 90 weeks), blood samples were taken for estimation of sexual, reproductive and thyroid hormones. Also, animals were dissected and the reproductive organs (epididymus and testes) were taken to measure fertility indices, oxidative parameters and testicular biomarkers. The main results of this study were : dicofol at both doses (lower and higher) decreased testes and epididymus weights, this effects were dose-related and associated with decline in epididymus sperm count, percent of sperm motility, viability and maturity and increased abnormal sperm morphology. Moreover, decline in serum testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels concomitant with an elevation in estradiol and progesterone levels were observed. Additionally, Dicofol-treated rats demonstrated de-generation and atrophy of some seminiferous tubules associated with depression in luminal spermatozoal concentration. Meanwhile, dicofol increased oxidative stress by an elevation lipid peroxidation index associated with depletion in glutathione level. Concerning the testicular biomarkers, dicofol increased total protein level and decreased the activities of the enzymes responsible of spermatogenesis, i.e. lactate dehydrogenase, acid and alkaline phosphatase activities. Conclusion: the results reinforce the idea that, dicofol, as o'ch pesticide, possesses estrogenic and antiandrogenic properties as well as oxidative stress. [Life Science Journal 2010;7(3):5-19]. (ISSN: 1097-8135).