Chlorpyrifos Induce Asthenospermia in Descended Testis Rats

Chlorpyrifos (CPF), an organophosphorous insecticides widely used in crop fields to reduce pest induced crop loss, has been associated with reproductive toxicity, particularly affecting male fertility.Healthy and motile sperm is essential to fertilize a definitive ovum.If the sperm unable to reach to the fertilizing zone within fallopian tube, fertilization will not occur, resulting infertility.The aim of this study was to examine the effects of chlorpyrifos exposure on sperm motility in rats with descended testes.In this study, descended (DT) male Charles Foster rats were orally given two graded doses of CPF (5.4 mg/kg bw/day and 8.1 mg/kg bw/day) for 30 days to examine the toxic effects on various semen quality parameters, including % of total motility, progressive motility (%), average path velocity (VAP), straight line velocity(VSL), distance straight line (DSL), distance average path (DAP), straightness (%STR), curve line distance (DCL), velocity curve line (VCL), normal morphology, abnormal sperm head, abnormal tail and reproductive hormone levels (LH, FSH, and testosterone).Results indicated a significant reduction of the % of total motility, progressive motility (%), average path velocity (VAP), straight line velocity (VSL), distance straight line (DSL), distance average path (DAP), straightness (STR), curve line distance (DCL), velocity curve line (VCL) and reproductive hormone levels (LH, FSH and testosterone) were observed dose dependently in CPF exposed groups of rats compared to control groups of rats.A significant increase of the % of abnormal head and tail of sperm were also observed in CPF treated groups of rats, suggesting that chlorpyrifos exposure significantly impairs the sperm motility that causes asthenospermia in descended testis rats.These findings suggest that chlorpyrifos exposure considerably impairs sperm motility in descended testis rats, primarily through oxidative stress-induced sperm damage and decreasing reproductive hormone levels.The findings highlight potential risks to male fertility associated with chlorpyrifos, underscoring the need for cautious use of this organophosphorous pesticide.