The influence of some molluscicides on reproductive activity in rats

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Beni-Suef University

Abstract

The present study is an endeavor for profound exploration about the effects of 2 commonly used molluscicides in Egypt (bayluscide and copper sulfate ) on some reproductive aspects in mature male Albino rats. For this purpose, 180 mature male Albino rats were used. Animals were equally divided into 3 groups; the 1st group was considered as controls administered distilled water while those of the 2nd and 3rd groups were administered distilled water containing 1 / 20 LD50 of either  baylucide or copper sulfate every 3 days for 8 successive weeks. The results of the present study revealed that administration of either molluscicides induced a serious drastic decline in the levels of the reproductive hormones; an effect which was not completely reversed after removal of the molluscicide for 8 successive weeks. This disruption upon reproductive hormones was concomitant with a significant deviation of semen parameters represented by a drop in the individual motility concomitant with an increase in dead sperm percentage as well as total sperm abnormalities. Moreover, stoppage of molluscicides administration along 8 successive weeks failed to improve all studied semen parameters. Moreover, evaluation of total antioxidant activity disclosed that application of either bayluscide or copper sulfate resulted in significant reduction in the total antioxidant capacity as compared with the corresponding control values; a finding which persisted after prevention of molluscicides administration along 8 weeks.

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