Hepatic and reproductive toxicity of sub-chronic exposure to dichlorvos and lead acetate on male Wistar rats

Objective:To investigate the hepatic and reproductive toxicity of dichlorvos and lead acetate on male Wistar rats.Methods:Fifteen adult male Wistar rats(170-190 g)were randomly divided into three groups,with 5 rats in each group.Group 1 received 0.5 mL distilled water orally and served as the control group,while groups 2 and 3 were orally treated with 2 mg/kg body weight(b.w.)dichlorvos and 10 mg/kg b.w.lead acetate,respectively,for 55 days.Epididymal sperm,serum follicle stimulating hormone(FSH),luteinizing hormone(LH),testosterone concentrations,testicular 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity(17β-HSD),androgen receptor expression,aspartate aminotransferase(AST),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),testicular oxidant and antioxidant enzymes were evaluated with standard methods.Results:Sperm count,motility,morphology,FSH,LH,testosterone levels,17β-HSD,androgen receptor expression,and catalase activity were significantly reduced in the dichlorvos and lead acetate treated groups as compared with the control group(P<0.05).The liver AST,ALT activities and malondialdehyde concentration were significantly increased in the dichlorvos and lead acetate treated groups as compared with the control group(P<0.05).Conclusions:The reproductive and hepatic toxicity activities of dichlorvos and lead acetate in male Wistar rats are similar.