Research and Clinical Center for Infertility, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences of Yazd
Abstract
Background: Diazinon (DZN) is an organophosphate insecticide which is
used worldwide in agriculture. The exposure to this chemical might lead
to damages to the living systems. Objective: The present study was
done to investigate the effects of diazinon on the structure of testis
and levels of sex hormones in adult male mice. Materials and Methods:
For this experiment, the mature male mice divided into three groups;
Control (no injection), sham (corn oil injection) and DZN (diazinon was
administrated at dose of 30 mg / kg for 30 d five consecutive days per
week). Animals were killed 35 days after the latest injection. Testes
tissues sections were provided to investigate the histopathological
changes. Serum testosterone, LH and FSH concentrations were measured by
radioimmunoassay. Data were analyzed using of oneway ANOVA.
Significance was set at p<0.05. Results: A significant reduction
was observed in diameter and weight of testes after DZN administration.
Furthermore, DZN brought about significant reduction in sperm counts
and spermatogenic, Leydig and Sertoli cells and a decrease in serum
testosterone concentration. Histopathological examination of testes
showed degenerative changes in seminiferous tubules (p<0.001). The
levels of LH and FSH were increased in DZN groups compared to the
control and sham groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: DZN is a toxicant
for mammals’ spermatogenic cells during the early
spermatogenesis. Therefore, application of DZN should be limited to a
designed program
