Testicular toxicity of Dichlorvos and the protective role of vitamins C and E in rats

Dichlorvos is an organophosphate insecticide, which is widely used in pest control. In this study, male rats were divided into four groups. Control group, vitamin C+vitamin E-treatment (200 mg/kg bw per day) group, dichlorvos treatment group (1,6 mg/kg bw per day) and vitamin C+vitamin E (200 mg/kg bw per day)+dichlorvos treatment (1,6 mg/kg bw per day) group. All combinations were given to rats orally via gavage for 7 weeks. At the end of the 24 hrs, 4th and 7th weeks, body and testis weights of control and treated rats were measured. Testicular sperm count, epididymal sperm motility, morphology and serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone levels were determined and pathological changes of the testicular tissues were evaluated by light and electron microscopy. Evaluation of sperm concentration after 24 hrs, 4th and 7th weeks did not show any statistically significant difference when control group was compared to dichlorvos and vitamin C and E+dichlorvos treated group. After 7 weeks of dichlorvos administration, a decrease of epididymal sperm motility occurred in male rats. Increase of abnormal sperm count occurred 4 and 7 weeks after dichlorvos treatment. In the present study, FSH, LH and testosterone levels were decreased statistically after 4 and 7 weeks of exposure when control group was compared to dichlorvos and vitamin C and E+dichlorvos group. Apart, when control group was compared to vitamin C and E treated group, FSH and LH levels vii were not altered. Vitamins E and C administration resulted in a statistically significant increase in plasma testosterone levels when vitamin C and E+dichlorvos group was compared to dichlorvos group. Light and electron microscopic investigations figured out pathological changes in dichlorvos and vitamin C and E+dichlorvos treated groups after 4 and 7 weeks of exposure. As a result, vitamins C and E were not able to recover the testicular toxicity of dichlorvos in rats.