title: Leydig cell number and sperm production decrease induced by chronic ametryn exposure: a negative impact on animal reproductive health.
abstract: Ametryn is an herbicide used to control broadleaf and grass weeds and its acute and chronic toxicity is expected to be low. Since toxicological data on ametryn is scarce, the aim of this study was to evaluate rat reproductive toxicity. Thirty-six adult male Wistar rats (90 days) were divided into three groups: Co (control) and T1 and T2 exposed to 15 and 30 mg/kg/day of ametryn, respectively, for 56 days. Testicular analysis demonstrated that ametryn decreased sperm number per testis, daily sperm production, and Leydig cell number in both treated groups, although little perceptible morphological change has been observed in seminiferous tubule structure. Lipid peroxidation was higher in group T2, catalase activity decreased in T1 group, superoxide dismutase activity diminished, and a smaller number of sulphydryl groups of total proteins were verified in both exposed groups, suggesting oxidative stress. These results showed negative ametryn influence on the testes and can compromise animal reproductive performance and survival.
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biomédicas, Centro Universitário Hermínio Ometto UNIARARAS, Avenida Dr. Maximiliano Barutto, n° 500, Jd. Universitário, Araras, SP, CEP 13607-339, Brazil, pharma_tan@yahoo.com.br.
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Dantas
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cancian
authors.forename: D N R
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Neodini
authors.forename: D R S
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Mano
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Capucho
authors.forename: F S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Predes
authors.forename: R Barbieri
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Pulz
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Pigoso
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dolder
authors.forename: G D C
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Severi-Aguiar
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001699:Biometry; D001837:Body Weights and Measures; D001938:Brazil; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D002452:Cell Count; D006540:Herbicides / Q000633:toxicity*; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D014227:Triazines / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D006540:Herbicides; D014227:Triazines; C100057:ametryne; D002374:Catalase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase