Dose-Dependent Toxicity of Acetamiprid on Testis and Prostate of Adult Albino Rats: Elucidating Toxic Mechanisms

Background: Acetamiprid (ACMP) is a neonicotinoid pesticide, broadly used as an alternate to organophosphates to control pests and its use is increasing day by day to increase crop yield. Traces of ACMP and its toxic metabolites have been detected in several foodstuffs, water and soil. Aim of the work: This experiment designed to elucidate the detrimental hazards of different doses of ACMP exposure on rat’s testis, and prostate. Material and Methods: Twenty-eight adult male albino rats that were separated equally into 4 groups: control groups (negative and vehicle), ACMP groups (1/5 LD 50 received 40 mg/kg/day; 1/20 LD50 received 10mg/kg/day). All treatments were given orally for 4 weeks. Results: ACMP-treatment (10 mg/kg/day) triggered a hormonal disturbance including elevated serum GnRH, and LH, and declined serum testosterone. Moreover, there were a significant deteriorated sperm characterization and triggered alteration of cellular redox homeostasis evidenced by increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels with decreased total antioxidant capacity (TAC), also, elevation in pro-inflammatory (tumour necrosis factor alfa (TNF-α) allied with declining in anti-inflammatory (IL-10) in testicular and prostatic tissues. There were histopathological changes in the testicular and prostatic tissues. The previous abnormalities were more severe with a higher dose of ACMP (40 mg/kg/day) exposure. Conclusion: sub-acute ACMP exposure has detrimental effects on testis and prostate evident by functional and structural disturbance through triggering oxidative stress, and inflammatory process, which occurred in a dose-dependent manner. Recommendation: improve health awareness about ACMP proper use, and further studies to identify other mechanisms and how to improve their detrimental effects.