Toxic effects of atrazine on reproductive system of male rats.
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to evaluate the toxic effects of Atrazine (ATZ) on the reproductive system of male rats.


METHODS
Male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to ATZ by gavage at dosages of 0, 38.5, 77, and 154 mg/kg bw/day for 30 d. The toxic effects of ATZ to rats were assessed through histopathologcal observation, spermatozoa quality evaluation, testicular marker enzyme indicators, antioxidant capacity and reproductive hormone levels.


RESULTS
Significant adverse effects on reproductive system were observed in rats exposed to ATZ at different dosages compared with 0 mg/kg group, including an irregular and disordered arrangement of the seminiferous epithelium in 154 mg/kg group; a decreased spermatozoa number and an increased spermatozoa abnormality rate in 77 and 154 mg/kg groups; decreased levels of acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) with the increasing of ATZ concentration; a decreased level of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in a dose-dependent manner, and a decreased reduced glutathione (GSH) level and an increased malondialdehyde (MDA) content in 154 mg/kg group; and decreased serum levels of testosterone (T) and inhibin-B (INH-B) and an increased serum level of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in 77 and 154 mg/kg groups, and an increased serum level of luteinizing hormone (LH) in 154 mg/kg group.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggested that relatively high doses of ATZ could exert reproductive toxicity of male rats.
Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, West China School of Public Health, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China.
Yang
Y
Song
Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, West China School of Public Health, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China.
Zhen Chao
ZC
Jia
Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, West China School of Public Health, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China.
Jin Yao
JY
Chen
Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, West China School of Public Health, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China.
Jun Xiang
JX
Hu
Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, West China School of Public Health, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China.
Li Shi
LS
Zhang
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D001280:Atrazine / Q000633:toxicity*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D006540:Herbicides / Q000633:toxicity*; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013076:Sperm Count; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000187:drug effects*; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D036401:Toxicity Tests, Chronic
D000975:Antioxidants; D006540:Herbicides; D006728:Hormones; D001280:Atrazine
Atrazine; Endocrine disrupter; Oxidative stress; Reproductive toxicity