Effects of Acute and Chronic Propoxur Insecticide Exposure on the Hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis in Rat

Propoxur is a carbamate insecticide widely used both in indoor and outdoor place to control insects. This present work was conducted to study the effect of acute and chronic exposure of propoxur (PPX) on hormonal and histological changes in the rat Hypothalamic-pituitary testicular axis. The control (group 1) received physiological saline, group 2, received PPX by inhalation every other day for one month while group 3, received PPX by inhalation every other day for two months. A significant decrease in the level of testosterone (TT) and increase in follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) were observed in PPX treated groups. Histological studies of the PPX treated rat hypothalamus, pituitary gland and testis revealed variable degrees of degenerative changes in the seminiferous tubules up to total cellular destruction. There was no reversal of destruction 30 days after withdrawal of the insecticide, indicating a persistent effect. The above-mentioned findings suggest that acute and chronic exposure to PPX insecticide has an obvious deleterious effect on rat Hypothalamic-pituitary testicular axis. Therefore, inhalation of such insecticide should be limited with special care in handling to limit or minimize its hazards.

Key Words: carbamate, propoxur, testosterone, FSH, LH, testes