engleski

Effect of atrazine on sperm parameters in rats

Reduced sperm count and motility can be considered to be the markers of impaired spermatogenesis provoked by the influence of endocrine-active compounds in the environment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of s-triazine herbicide atrazine (2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-s-triazine) on male rat reproductive function by determining testicular sperm number, epididymal sperm number and motility. Animals were exposed i.p. to atrazine doses of 3, 7.5, 15, 30, 60 and 120 mg per kg body wt. twice a week over 60 days. At the end of atrazine exposure the testicular punctions showed a significant drop in sperm counts vs. control values (17% to 29%). Epididymal sperm number was lower in the animals exposed to doses of 3 and 7.5 mg of atrazine per kg body wt., but the decrease was not statistically significant. Significant differences were found in the groups of animals exposed to doses of 15 to 120 mg per kg body wt. in comparison with the control values. The drop in epididymal sperm number extended from about 36% to 77% as the dose increased. The dose-related changes in epididymal sperm motility were found in the same groups of animals. The motility decreased for about 52% to 97%. Presented results bring an additional insight into harmful effects of environmental chemicals such as pesticides on the reproductive process.

atrazine; sperm count; sperm motility; testis; epididymis

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