In utero and lactational exposure of carbofuran to rats: Effect on testes and sperm

Abstract

1 Male offspring of adult females treated with 0.2 or 0.4 mg/kg during either the whole of pregnancy or the whole of the lactation period did not induce general ised toxic effects. 2 A significant alteration in enzymatic activities i.e. SDH (decreased), LDH and Y-GT (increased) were observed in testes only at 0.4 mg/kg. 3 A decrease in sperm motility, sperm count along with increase in percent abnormal sperm was observed at 0.4 mg/kg dose level. 4 Histopathological examination revealed loss of sper mato-genesis, degenerative changes in Sertoli cells which are well supported with biochemical studies indicating that carbofuran interferes with the matura tion process of testis. 5 No such effects were observed at 0.2 mg/kg. 6 The testicular and spermatotoxic effects observed in rats given in utero or lactational exposure may be due to transfer of carbofuran or its metabolites through placenta or mothers milk.