Effects of dermal sub-chronic exposure of pubescent male rats to permethrin (PRMT) on the histological structures of genital tract, testosterone and lipoperoxidation

Short-term effects of pyrethroids on human health are better and well identified, whereas long-term risk's estimation remains difficult, especially those affecting the reproductive function. The present study, carried out in male rats, is a contribution to explore some effects underlying permethrin (PRMT) toxicity. The aim of the present work was to investigate the effect of different subcutaneous treatments with PRMT low doses on testes and epididymides histopathology, testosterone and oxidative stress in pubescent male rats. Groups of six animals were treated with a dermal daily dose of 0.013, 0.13, or 1.3 mg/kg b.w/day of PRMT in 70% ethanol for 30, 45, and 60 days, respectively. Macroscopic studies showed an influence of PRMT on the testes, the epididymides and body weight. The pyrethroid induces a testis disturbance traduced by a deregulation of spermatogenesis and an epididymis dysfunction by the appearance of strong deformations into the microstructure of the epididymides. A hormonal disruption was evidenced by the measurement of the plasma testosterone concentrations. The findings of the present investigation mentioned a significant increase (p <= 0.05) in lipoperoxidation, after 45 or 60 days, when we measured the plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations. In conclusion the study shows that subcutaneous PRMT treatment causes an arrest of spermatogenesis, and a significant disharmony in testosterone concentration and MDA levels. These effects are related to dose, length of treatment and to the lipid peroxidation, which may be one of the molecular mechanisms involved in PRMT-induced gonads and epididymides toxicity. (C) 2010 Published by Elsevier GmbH.