AIMTo observe the cytotoxic effect of the organophosphate insecticide malathion in the reproductive tissues of the earthworms, Eisenia foetida.

METHODSWorms were nourished in soil treated with malathion at single sub-lethal doses of 0, 80, 150, 300 and 600 mg/kg soil. (LD50=880 mg/kg soil) and evaluated on days 1, 5, 15 and 30 after exposure. The body weights were recorded and male reproductive organs evaluated.

RESULTSMalathion-treated animals showed a significant reduction in body weight in a dose-dependent manner. Malathion treatment modified the disposition of spermatozoa in the basal epithelium of the spermatheca. The Br-deoxyuridine test showed a significant rise in cells in phase S on days 5 and 15. Also, a higher percentage of spermatogonia with fragmented DNA were observed by means of the TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) technique in the spermatheca of treated animals.

CONCLUSIONTreatment with malathion decreased the body weight and the spermatic viability in spermatheca, altering the cell proliferation and modifying the DNA structure of spermatogonia.

Animals ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; DNA Fragmentation ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Malathion ; adverse effects ; Male ; Oligochaeta ; drug effects ; Reproduction ; drug effects ; S Phase ; drug effects ; genetics ; Spermatozoa ; drug effects ; Time Factors

AIMTo explore the effect of exposure to commercial Parathion (Pc) on the reproductive parameters (sperm and cocoon production and genotoxicity on male germ cells), the survival, the body weight and the gross anatomical changes in Eisenia foetida.

METHODSThree doses of Pc (1478, 739 and 444 mg/kg of soil) and three time intervals of exposure (5, 15 and 30 days) were used.

RESULTSAll treated animals were affected. An acute genotoxic effect, revealed by DNA fragmentation (comet assay), was seen by 5 days. Alterations in reproductive parameters were conspicuous in regard to the number of sperm, cocoons and worms born, and the histological observation of the gonads and seminal receptacles. In addition, the body weight and survival rate were decreased. Neuromuscular function was also affected.

CONCLUSIONEarthworms are suitable bioindicators of chemical contamination of the soil, their advantage being their easy and economical handling.

Animals ; Behavior, Animal ; drug effects ; Insecticides ; toxicity ; Male ; Oligochaeta ; drug effects ; Parathion ; toxicity ; Reproduction ; drug effects ; Soil Pollutants ; toxicity ; Survival Rate

AIMTo observe the effect of the aqueous extract of hypocotyls of the plant Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on spermatogenic damage induced by the organophosphate insecticide malathion in mice.

METHODSMice were treated with 80 mg/kg of malathion in the presence or absence of an aqueous extract of Maca, which was orally administered 7, 14 or 21 days after injection of the malathion. Stages of the seminiferous epithelium were assessed by transillumination on days 0, 7, 14 and 21.

RESULTSThe administration of Maca increased significantly the length of stage VIII on days 7, 14 and 21 of treatment compared with the controls. An increase in the length of stage IX occurred on day 14 of treatment. Malathion affected spermatogenesis by reducing the lengths of stage IX on day 7, stages VII and IX-XI on day 14 and a recovery of stages IX-XII on day 21. The magnitude of alteration in the length of stage IX produced by malathion was significantly reduced by Maca on days 7 and 14. The length of stage VIII was increased when Maca was administered to mice treated with malathion. Assessment of the relative length of stages of the seminiferous epithelium showed that Maca treatment resulted in rapid recovery of the effect of malathion.

CONCLUSIONMaca enhances spermatogenesis following spermatogenic damage caused by the organophosphorous pesticide.

Animals ; Drug Administration Schedule ; Hypocotyl ; Lepidium ; Malathion ; adverse effects ; Male ; Mice ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; therapeutic use ; Spermatogenesis ; drug effects ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome