Ultrastructural evaluation of the chronic effects of oral administration of carbosulfan on the rat testis

IntroductionThe aim of this study is to elucidate the testicular ultrastructural effects of carbosulfan which is an insectiside used at the agricultural areas of the Cukurova Region.Materials and MethodsThirty six Wistar albino adult male rats were divided into 6 groups each containing 6 animals. The sixth group was considered as control while the other five groups were orally administered using 1ml/kg/day of carbosulfan for 1 day for the first group, 3 days for the second group, 7 days for the third group, 14 days for the forth group and 28 days for the fifth group. At the end of the designed application schedule 3 rats from each group were sacrificed on the days stated above while the remaining others were kept under normal laboratory conditions for 28 days and then sacrificed to obtain their blood and testis tissue samples. Testosteron levels were measured from the blood samples and testis tissues were processed and inspected by light and electron microscopy.ResultsA sudden rise in the blood testosteron level in the first experimental group attracted attention. The testosteron levels of the other experimental groups were below normal values. Blood testosteron levels obtained after 28 days were close to the control group values.Evaluation of the testis tissues by light and electron microscopy revealed degenerative changes related to the duration following carbosulfan adminstration. Thickening of the membrana propria and irregularities of the basal lamina, besides degenarative mitochondria, widespread vacuolisation of the agranular endoplasmic reticulum in the Sertoli cells; maturation arrest and irregularities of the acrosomal sheath of the spermatids were significant findings. Moreover, apoptotic bodies were met in the lumen of the seminiferous tubules. In the Leydig cells, picnotic nuclei, increased cytoplasmic density, degenerative mitochondria, and increased lipid droplets were seen. Normal testicular structures were inspected again in the tissue samples after the termination of 28 day follow-up of the experimental groups.ConclusionIn conclusion, we suggested that the administration of 1/20 of LD50 dose of carbosulfan do not seriously affect spermatogonia while the differentiating spermatogenic cells, Sertoli cells and Leydig cells are affected in the rat testis tissues that may interfere with spermatogenesis and lead to infertility.Keywords : Carbosulfan, Spermatogenesis, Testis, Testosteron, Ultrastructure.