Atrazine (ATR) is an organophosphate herbicide which is widely used against long and broad leaf herbaceous plants in corn fields and gardens. It is shown to be responsible for serious failures involved in reproductive processes. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the toxic effects of atrazine on the reproductive system of male adult rats. Twenty adult albino rats were used in this study; the animals were divided randomly into two equal groups (10/group). The first group was served as control while the second one served as ATR-treated group. The control group received % 0.5 aqueous suspension of CMC only and ATR-treated group received ATR suspended in 0.5% CMC (300 mg/kg/day, p.o. for 5 weeks). At the end of experiment, rats in all groups were weighted then sacrificed and serum samples were collected for determination of sex hormone; testosterone. Specimens from testes were taken for weight assessment and histopathological examination under light and electron microscopy. ATR exposure resulted in decreased body weight as well as testicular weight in rats. Significant adverse effects on reproductive system were observed in rats exposed to ATR including a reduction in testosterone level compared to control rats. Light microscopical examination of the testes revealed severe dilatation of semineferous tubules, cytoplasmic vacuolation, spermatic arrest, testicular atrophy as well as Leydig cells hyperplasia. Ultrastructural examination of the semineferous tubules confirmed the light microscopic findings. In conclusion, our results suggested that ATR could exert reproductive toxicity of male rats. |
