The Effect of Pesticide Chlorpyrifos (DursbanR) on Sperm Parameters and Testicular Tissue in Mice

Abstract

Environmental pollution by the pesticide chlorpyrifos has been documented as the most commonly detected pesticide in food and water posing a potential hazard to human health. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine the effect of pesticide chlorpyrifos on sperm parameters and testicular tissue in mice. Sperm count, sperm motility and sperm morphology parameters are very important semen characteristics and are strong predictors of male fertility. The reproductive toxicity of the pesticide chloropyrifos was studied in adult male mice via intraperitoneal administration of chlorpyrifos (20 mg/kg) on alternate days for a period of 15 days. The results of this study showed a decrease in all sperm parameters, especially sperm motility and histological lesions of testicular tissue. The histological lesions emphasize the positive correlation between cytogenetic damage and abnormal sperm parameters. These results support the hypothesis that exposure to pesticides may be associated with decreased semen quality and hence infertility.