AIM: To observe the cytotoxic effect of the organophosphate insecticide malathion in the reproductive tissues of the earthworms, Eisenia foetida. METHODS: Worms 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. RESULTS: Malathion-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. CONCLUSION: Treatment with malathion decreased the body weight and the spermatic viability in spermatheca, altering the cell proliferation and modifying the DNA structure of spermatogonia.
AIM: To observe the cytotoxic effect of the organophosphate insecticide malathion in the reproductive tissues of the earthworms, Eisenia foetida. METHODS: Worms 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. RESULTS:Malathion-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. CONCLUSION: Treatment with malathion decreased the body weight and the spermatic viability in spermatheca, altering the cell proliferation and modifying the DNA structure of spermatogonia.
Authors: Hector Hernan Rodríguez; Omar Espinoza-Navarro; Ivan Silva; Douglas Needham; María Eugenia Castro; Luis Sarabia; Juan Inostroza; Leonella Jimenez Journal: Environ Sci Pollut Res Int Date: 2010-09-25 Impact factor: 4.223