Quercetin mitigates fenitrothion-induced testicular toxicity in rats.
Fenitrothion (FNT) is a widely used organophosphorus pesticide in agriculture. Quercetin (QR), a plant-derived flavonoid, has a free radical scavenging property. This study investigated the protective effect of QR on FNT-induced testicular toxicity in rats. Twenty-four male rats were divided into four groups. Group I (control) received normal saline. Group II was administered QR at the dose of 50 mg kg(-1) b.wt. Group III was orally administered FNT (20 mg kg(-1) b.wt). Group IV was gavaged FNT and QR together at the same doses. All administrations were performed daily by gavage and maintained for 70 days. Sperm parameters and histopathological changes in testes were investigated. Serum testosterone and luteinising hormone were estimated using radioimmunoassay kits. In testes, expressions of steroidogenic genes (3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 6, 17 β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 3 and steroidogenic factor-1) and oxidative stress genes (catalase and superoxide dismutase) were determined using real-time PCR. FNT administration caused significant decreases in sperm count, motility and hormonal levels, a significant increase in abnormal sperm morphology and a significant down-regulation of steroidogenic and antioxidant genes in the testis. However, QR administration ameliorated FNT-induced toxic effects. Our results concluded that QR effectively mitigated testicular damage induced by FNT in rats.
Forensic Medicine and Toxicology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
T M
TM
Saber
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
R M
RM
Abd El-Aziz
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
H A
HA
Ali
D000818:Animals; D005278:Fenitrothion / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000633:toxicity*; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000494:pharmacology; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood; D007306:Insecticides / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000633:toxicity; D008297:Male; D011794:Quercetin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D055101:Semen Analysis; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology
D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D007306:Insecticides; D011794:Quercetin; D005278:Fenitrothion
Fenitrothion; oxidative stress; quercetin; steroidogenesis; testis