Effect of methyl parathion the rat testes and protective role of vitamin C and E

Methyl parathion, an organophosphorous insecticide, is widely used inagricultural control and causes poisoning. In the present study, methylparathion (0,28 mg/kg day), vitamin C (200mg/kg day)+vitamin E(200 mg/kgday), vitamin C (200mg/kg day)+vitamin E(200 mg/kg day)+methyl parathion(0,28 mg/kg day) were given to male rats through gavage. Body and testisweights and histopathological changes in the testis were investigated with lightmicroscope at the end of 24 hrs, 4th and 7th weeks comparatively with controlgroup. No statically significant changes of body and testis weights wereobserved in methyl parathion treated group and vitamin C+vitamin E+methylparathion treated group compared to control group after 24 hrs, statisticallysignificant decrease were observed after 4 and 7 weeks. After 4 and 7 weeks ofmethyl parathion exposure, necrosis and edema were observed in theseminiferous tubules and interstitial tissues. After 4 and 7 weeks of vitaminsC+vitamin E+methyl parathion exposure, degenerative changes were detectedin the seminiferous tubules while no pathological findings were observed in theinterstitial tissues.As a result, lower doses of methyl parathion caused histopathological changes inthe rat testis. Vitamin C and vitamin E reduced histopathological damageoccured in the testis tissue. But they not protect completely.Key Words : Organophosphorous insecticides, methyl parathion,histopathology, vitamin E, vitamin C, testis