Abstract
One of the synthetic pyrethroid pesticides is Cypermethrin (CYP) which has been widely used in Egypt. CYP is primarily believed to be safe for ordinary application. Many studies presented its neural and reproductive toxicity in nonmammalian, mammalian and different animal species. Up till now, there is not enough information known about the reproductive toxicity mechanism induced by the CYP and there is no sufficient data for the protection against its toxicity. Our study focuses on the toxic effects induced by CYP in the testis and brain tissues by detecting some apoptosis markers (Caspase3, p53 and Bcl-2) and estimating FSH, LH and testosterone hormones in serum. Sesame oil (S. oil) is considered as a potent antioxidant and dietary supplement but its molecular protective effects are still unclear. Four groups contain healthy adults' rats (age- and weight-matched): the normal control group, S. oil group (2 ml/kg b.wt./day), CYP group (3 ml/kg b.wt./day) and the last group treated with S. oil plus CYP. The treatment was continuous for 60 days. In CYP group biochemical analysis showed a reduction in the serum levels of testosterone, LH and FSH hormones, an increase in brain and testis Caspase3 and p53 expression besides the detectable decrease in Bcl-2 expression. Pretreatment with S. oil effectively protected against such biochemical changes, counteracted the CYP-altering the expression of Caspase3, p53 and upregulated Bcl-2 expression in testis and brain tissues. In Conclusion, S. oil has an ameliorative potency against biochemical alternations and apoptosis produced by CYP in tissues of the brain and testis of rats.