Abstract
The toxic effects of the insecticide fipronil on the sperm production and oxidative damage in the testis were evaluated, as well as the protective action of vitamin E. Male rats received vehicle or fipronil 5 mg/kg and fipronil 5 mg/kg + vitamin E 100 mg/kg for 14 days. Thereafter, the sperm concentration in the epididymis and parameters of oxidative damage in the homogenate of testicles were assessed. Fipronil reduced epidydimal sperm count. The activity of the glutathione peroxidase enzyme increased and that of catalase was reduced in the testis. Also, a reduction in GSH and an increase in the concentration of malondialdehyde were observed in the animals treated with fipronil. The vitamin E reestablished the analysed parameters to levels similar to those of the control group. We concluded that fipronil decreased sperm production in rats because of its oxidant activity and that this effect was reversed by vitamin E.
Highlights
Fipronil is an insecticide belonging to the family of phenylpyrazoles that acts with good selectivity in the control of insects (Hainzl et al, 1998; Tingle et al, 2003) and is used extensively in a variety of infestations such as cockroaches, mosquitoes, termites, ants, and locusts, as well as fleas, lice, and ticks of dogs, cats, and cattle (Chanton et al, 2001; Aajoud et al, 2003; Paim, 2010)
The simultaneous treatment with fipronil and vitamin E 100 mg/kg BW resulted in counts similar to control values (G3)
No significant reduction was observed in the concentration of thiol groups of proteins in the testis homogenate of the fipronil-treated group (G2; Fig. 2B), showing that fipronil did not promote the oxidation of these groups
Summary
Fipronil is an insecticide belonging to the family of phenylpyrazoles that acts with good selectivity in the control of insects (Hainzl et al, 1998; Tingle et al, 2003) and is used extensively in a variety of infestations such as cockroaches, mosquitoes, termites, ants, and locusts, as well as fleas, lice, and ticks of dogs, cats, and cattle (Chanton et al, 2001; Aajoud et al, 2003; Paim, 2010). Its mechanism of action is based on the non-competitive blockade of Clchannels linked to gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors (GABA), leading insects to death by neuronal hyperexcitation and paralysis (Zhao et al, 2004). It is considered safe for animals, several studies have reported that fipronil is rapidly metabolized in the liver, and its metabolites are widely distributed in tissues, especially in adipose tissue (Tingle et al, 2003). Some studies have shown that fipronil exerts a toxic effect on rat liver cells (Tavares et al, 2015; Guelfi et al, 2015). In addition to the toxic effects on the liver, fipronil has shown effects on reproduction, as studies have shown that the use of fipronil affects the reproductive system in females (Tingle et al, 2003; Ohi et al, 2004; Cox, 2015), but there is a paucity of studies on fertility in males
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