Protective effects of benfotiamine on cyfluthrin- induced testicular damage and sperm characteristics during the prepubertal period

Protective effects of benfotiamine on cyfluthrin- induced testicular damage and sperm characteristics during the prepubertal periodCyfluthrin, a synthetic pyrethroides insecticide, is generally used in houses, outdoor and agriculture thanks to its wide-spectrum. Benfotiamine is a fat-soluable kind of vitamin B1 that has a versatile therapeutic potential. This experimental study aims to establish the sperm characteristics and testicular damage induced by administration of cyfluthrin in the prepubertal period and the protective effects of benfotiamine on sperm characteristics and testicular damage.In this study, thirty two 4-weeks old Wistar albino male rats were used. Rats were divided into 4 groups. Olive oil, 1ml/kg/day, was given to the rats (n=8) in group I by means of oral gavage. Cyfluthrin, 54mg/kg/day, was applied to the rats in group II via oral gavage by being dissolved in 1ml olive oil. Cyfluthrin (54 mg/kg/day) and benfotiamine (100 mg/kg/day) were given to the rats in group III via oral gavage by being dissolved in olive oil. Similarly, benfotiamine (100 mg/kg/day) was applied to the rats in group IV by means of oral gavage by being dissolved in olive oil. 5 weeks after treatment the sperm motility, epididymal sperm density and rates of abnormal sperm of the rats were searched, structural changes in their testicular tissues were investigated histochemically and immunohistochemically. The findings were photographed with the Olympus BH 2 photomicroscope.When the rats in the experimental group were compared in terms of sperm motility, it was determined that there had been a significant reduction (p<0.01) in group II than group I, a substantial increase (P<0.01) in group III than group II, and the results obtained from group I and group IV were parallel to each other.In epididymal sperm density, it was determined that there had been a significant reduction (p<0.01) in group II than group I, statistically insignificant increase (P>0.05) in group III than group II, the findings obtained from group IV were similar to the results of group I.In terms of abnormal sperm morphology, it was observed that it caused significant increases (p<0.01) in total rates of abnormal sperm in group II than group I, provided significant reductions (P<0.01) in total rates of abnormal sperm in group III due to use of benfotiamine than group II, group IV and group I had similar sperm morphology (P>0.05).In our examination conducted by means of light microscope, it was detected that cyfluthrin caused to important degenerations, atrophy, maturation arrest in the testicular tissues of the rats and degradations in the basal lamina, and as a result of these, inhibition was formed in spermatogenesis in group II. It can be said that benfotiamine used to prevent the toxic effects of cyfluthrin played a protective role on the testicular tissue in group III. In the rats of the group IV, similar structures were observed like the ones in the group I. In this group it was partly established that there were maturation arrest in the seminiferous tubules germ cells and degradations in the basal lamina; however, it was in negligible level according to the findings of group II to which cyfluthrin was applied merely.When group IV to which benfotiamine was applied only and the control group were compared, it was observed that histological structures were similar to each other.When the difference between the groups was examined in terms of the immunoreactivity of HSP 70, it was seen that the expression of HSP 70 in the testicular tissues of group IV, which only benfotiamine was applied to, and the control group was found only in the spermatid and spermatozoas that took place in the apical of adluminal compartment. In group II to which cyfluthrin was applied and group III to which cyfluthrin and benfotiamine were applied, the immunoreactivity of HSP 70 was differentiated in the spermatogonium and primary spermatocytes as well as the spermatid and spermatozoa cells. As for the Sertoli cells and interstitial cells of Leydig HSP 70 was (-) in them. Prevalence of HSP 70 immunreactivity was the most prominent in the group II.In conclusion, people may be exposed to cyfluthrin used to kill pests in agriculture, houses and ornamental flowers through contaminated foods or directly. Long-term recurrent exposure to cyfluthrin may affect many systems in the organism.In this experimental study, male reproduction system was observed to be influenced in the structural and functional way depending on the application of the cyfluthrin.This influence was confirmed by the immunoreactivity of HSP known to increase under stress. As for benfotiamine used with the aim of protection in our study we can say that it minimized the toxic effects of the cyfluthrin with its antioxidant effect and by inhibiting the formation of reactive oxygen species.In the light of our findings in this study it has been concluded that it should be taken care seriously about the use of pesticides, consisting of cyfluthrin as well, and about their dosage. Otherwise, it will be inevitable to be confronted with serious public health problems that might be result in infertility.Key Words : Cyfluthrin, benfotiamine, HSP 70, testis, sperm.