This study was aimed at observing the effects of protein-energy
malnutrition on the morphometrical, histological and hormonal changes
associated with the testicular toxicity of Carbendazim (methyl
2-benzimidazole carbamate) in the adult male Japanese quail.
Carbendazim was administered at a single dose of 400 mg/kg by gastric
lavage to quails fed either normal protein-energy or low protein-energy
diets. The birds were monitored for eight days post-administration.
Significant decreases in the relative weight of the testis (p<0.05)
were observed in the Carbendazim-treated groups, irrespective of their
dietary protein-energy status, compared to the Normal Protein-energy
diet-Oil-treated (control) group. There were similarly significant
decreases in the plasma testosterone levels (p<0.05) of Normal
Protein-energy diet-Carbendazim- and Low Protein-energy
diet-Carbendazim- treated groups compared to the Normal Protein-energy
diet-Oil-treated (control) group. Histopathology of the testes of the
Carbendazim-treated groups revealed germinal epithelial sloughing and
occlusion of tubular lumen by immature germinal cells, the severity of
the lesions were relatively higher in the Low Protein-energy
diet-Carbendazim-treated group. Protein-energy malnutrition aggravated
the reproductive toxicity of the male Japanese quail exposed to
Carbendazim
