Abstract
BackgroundThe 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (p,p’-DDT) is a known persistent organic pollutant and male reproductive toxicant. The present study is designed to test the hypothesis that oxidative stress mediates p,p’-DDT-induced apoptosis in testis.MethodsMale Wistar rats received an intraperitoneal (ip) injection of the pesticide at doses of 50 and 100mg/kg for 10 consecutive days. The oxidative stress was evaluated by biomarkers such lipid peroxidation (LPO) and metallothioneins (MTs) levels. Antioxidant enzymes activities was assessed by determination of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production. In addition, glutathione-dependent enzymes and reducing power in testis was evaluated by glutathione peroxidase (Gpx), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities and reduced and oxidized glutathione (GSH - GSSG) levels. Apoptosis was evaluated by DNA fragmentation detected by agarose gel electrophoresis. Germinal cells apoptosis and the apoptotic index was assessed through the TUNEL assay.ResultsAfter 10 days of treatment, an increase in LPO level and H2O2 production occurred, while MTs level, SOD and CAT activities were decreased. Also, the Gpx, GR, GST, and GSH activities were decreased, whereas GSSG activity was increased. Testicular tissues of treated rats showed pronounced degradation of the DNA into oligonucleotides as seen in the typical electrophoretic DNA ladder pattern. Intense apoptosis was observed in germinal cells of DDT-exposed rats. In addition, the apoptotic index was significantly increased in testis of DDT-treated rats.ConclusionsThese results clearly suggest that DDT sub-acute treatment causes oxidative stress in rat testis leading to apoptosis.
Highlights
The 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (p,p’-DDT) is a known persistent organic pollutant and male reproductive toxicant
Rats were randomized into three experimental groups of approximately similar weight (n = 8) as follows: (1) animals received daily an intraperitoneal injection of DDT diluted with corn oil at a dose of 50mg/kg body weight (b.wt) during 10 days, (2) animals were administered 10 daily injections of 100 mg DDT/kg b.wt, (3) control group received equal daily volumes of vehicle during the treatment period
Our finding was in accordance with another study carried out in rats and which have reported a high level of lipid peroxidation in the testis of DDE- treated rats [36]
Summary
The 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (p,p’-DDT) is a known persistent organic pollutant and male reproductive toxicant. The 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (p,p’DDT) was commercialized as an agricultural pesticide in 1945 It is the first widely used synthetic organochlorine pesticide introduced all over the world to eliminate unwanted pests, and helped one billion people live free from malaria [1, 2]. The aim of this work is to investigate the effect of p,p’-DDT subacute treatment on rat testis and the implication of oxidative stress and apoptosis in this organ. To this end, the status of the oxidative stress was evaluated by biomarkers such lipid peroxidation (LPO) and metallothioneins (MTs) levels. The characteristic DNA migration patterns of testicular tissues and the detection of apoptotic cells by TUNEL assay in germinal cells were aimed to be examined
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