title: Malathion-induced testicular toxicity is associated with spermatogenic apoptosis and alterations in testicular enzymes and hormone levels in male Wistar rats.
abstract: Malathion has a broad range of toxicities while its reproductive effects have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we treated animals with malathion by gavage at doses of 0, 33.75, 54, and 108 mg/kg for 60 days and evaluated the alterations in histology, biochemistry and serology. Malathion caused the reduction in the sperm counts and motility. The reduced body and testis weights were coupled with mild to severe degenerative changes in seminiferous tubules. We found malathion at 54 mg/kg increased spermatogenic apoptosis rate which was confirmed by changes in protein expression of Bax and Bcl-2. The activities of testicular enzymes including ACP, LDH and γ-GT were significantly altered with the reduced level of reproductive hormones such as LH, FSH and T. These results indicate that malathion can elicit deleterious effects on reproductive system of rats. The abnormal levels of hormones and apoptotic proteins induced by malathion may play important roles.
authors: Shandong Academy of Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine, Jinan 250062, Shandong Province, PR China; School of Medical and Life Sciences, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan University, Jinan, PR China.
authors: Xiao
authors: X
authors: Geng
authors: Shandong Academy of Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine, Jinan 250062, Shandong Province, PR China. Electronic address: chinashaohua5888@163.com.
authors: Hua
authors: H
authors: Shao
authors: Shandong Academy of Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine, Jinan 250062, Shandong Province, PR China.
authors: Zhihu
authors: Z
authors: Zhang
authors: The University of Queensland, National Research Centre for Environmental Toxicology - Entox, 39 Kessels Road, Coopers Plains, Brisbane 4108, Australia; Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (CRC-CARE), Adelaide 4095, Australia.
authors: Jack C
authors: JC
authors: Ng
authors: The University of Queensland, National Research Centre for Environmental Toxicology - Entox, 39 Kessels Road, Coopers Plains, Brisbane 4108, Australia; Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (CRC-CARE), Adelaide 4095, Australia.
authors: Cheng
authors: C
authors: Peng
mesh_terms: D000135:Acid Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D007306:Insecticides / Q000633:toxicity*; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008294:Malathion / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects*; D013385:Succinate Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: C494828:Bax protein, rat; D007306:Insecticides; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; D013385:Succinate Dehydrogenase; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; D000135:Acid Phosphatase; D008294:Malathion
keywords: Apoptosis; Histopathological changes; Malathion; Reproductive effects; Reproductive hormones; Testicular enzymes