Testicular Toxicity and Sperm Quality Following Exposure to Solignum: A Permethrin-Containing Wood Preservative in Adult Male Wistar Rats

Abstract

Background: Permethrin is widely used as a pesticide in agriculture, homes, gardens, and for treatment of ectoparasites such as fleas, lice, and scabies on human and animals. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the testicular toxicity and sperm quality of adult male Wistar albino rats exposed to Solignum® (SOL), a commercial permethrin-containing wood preservative. Materials and Methods: A total number of 32 adult male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups of eight rats per group. SOL mixed with olive oil (1:1) was orally administered to rats daily at concentrations of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg for 28 days while the control received 1 ml of olive oil only. At the end of this study, animals were sacrificed and testes excised, weighed, and processed for histological examination. Results: Rats treated with SOL showed a significant (P ≤ 0.05) decrease in body weight ranging from 127.30 ± 5.95 to 84.50 ± 15.37 g as compared with control group (138.50 ± 6.7 g). Absolute testicular weight, relative testicular weight, and epididymis together with testes decreased significantly (P ≤ 0.05) in treated rats ranging from 0.63 ± 0.44 to 0.22 ± 0.18; 0.49 ± 7.39 to 0.26 ± 1.17, and 1.07 ± 0.75 to 0.37 ± 0.19, respectively, when compared with control groups (0.89 ± 0.27; 0.64 ± 4.00; and 1.40 ± 0.35) for absolute testicular weight, relative testicular weight, and epididymis together with testes, respectively after 28 days. However, there was a significant (P ≤ 0.05) decrease in sperm count, sperm motility, sperm morphology, and sperm viability, whereas sperm debris increased significantly (P ≤ 0.05) in a dose-dependent manner when compared with control group. Furthermore, histological examination of the testes indicated that rats exposed to SOL were characterized by significant degenerative changes when compared with control group. Conclusion: Therefore, exposure to SOL may inhibit spermatogenesis, impair fertility, and generally, have toxicological concerns in the male reproductive system.