Effect of a single dose of malathion on spermatogenesis in mice.
OBJECTIVE
To observe the acute effect of the organophosphorous insecticide malathion on testicular function in mice.


METHODS
The effects of a single dose of malathion [240 mg/kg (1/12 LD(50))] on plasma acetylcholinesterase (ACE) activity, spermatozoa (epididymal cauda counts and teratozoospermia), testis and plasma testosterone concentration) were evaluated at day 1, 8, 16, 35 and 40 after treatment.


RESULTS
The sperm count was decreased significantly 24 h after treatment and teratozoospermia was increased at day 35 and 40. The height of the seminiferous epithelium and the diameter of tubular lumen were decreased at day 8. The percentage of tubular blockade was increased between day 8 and 35. A decrease in testosterone plasma level was observed at day 16 after treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Malathion damages male reproduction. The depletion of seminiferous tubules and the increase in teratozoospermia may be a genotoxic damage to the renewing spermatogonia, but the possibility of spermatogenic/spermiogenic disfunction due to a decrease in the plasma testosterone level can not be ruled out.
Bustos-Obregón
Eduardo
E
Biology of Reproduction Unit, Program of Morphology, ICBM Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago. ebustos@machi.med.uchile.cl
González-Hormazabal
Patricio
P
D000818:Animals; D007306:Insecticides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008294:Malathion / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D012671:Seminiferous Tubules / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D013076:Sperm Count; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000002:abnormalities; D013739:Testosterone / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors
D007306:Insecticides; D013739:Testosterone; D008294:Malathion