Carbosulfan Induced Reproductive Toxicity in Male Albino Rats (<i>Rattus norvegicus</i>) and Protective effect of <i>Cissus quadrangularis</i>

Abstract

Carbosulfan is the most commonly used carbamate insecticide in the agriculture industry and is known to cause diverse toxicological effects on non-target organisms. Farmers are more susceptible to accidental consumption of insecticides owing to their unscientific use and ease of access. The present investigation was carried out to evaluate reproductive toxicity induced by carbosulfan and its amelioration using traditional Cissus quadrangularis plant extract. The rats were divided into six groups; (E1) control treated with 1% DMSO/kg bw, (E2) plant extract alone (1000 mg/kg bw), (E3) low dose of carbosulfan (3.4 mg/kg bw), (E4) high dose of carbosulfan (6.37 mg/kg bw), (E5) low dose (3.4 mg/kg bw) and (E6) high dose (6.37 mg/kg bw) carbosulfan co-treatment with Cissus quadrangularis extract (1000 mg/kg bw) for 60 days. The reproductive parameters including histology of testes, sperm count, motility, morphology, and hormonal assay (FSH, T, LH) were performed. Carbosulfan treated groups (E3 & E4) were manifested histopathological alterations including tubular degeneration, disorganisation of cells, vacuolisation, and sloughing of germ cells into the tubular lumen. The hormonal level, sperm count, and motility were significantly decreased and the sperm abnormality rate was increased in the E4 group compared to the control group. The groups (E5 & E6) co-treated with plant extract were significantly recovered compared to insecticide-treated groups (E3 & E4). The histological and hormonal changes were attributed to the reprotoxic effects of the insecticide. However, co-treatment of plant extract significantly recovered the toxic effects caused by low concentration (E5) than the high concentration (E6) of carbosulfan.