Impact of pubertal imidacloprid exposure on the genital tract of Japanese quail (Coturnix Coturnix japonica): Histomorphometric and ultrastructural study

The medium and high IMI doses induced pathomorphological changes in the epithelial cells of the magnum and shell gland, which included a ciliary loss, presence of intracytoplasmic vacuoles, mitochondrial damage, and fewer secretory granules. In addition, there were cytoplasmic vacuoles detected in the efferent ducts and epididymal ducts of quails treated with medium and high IMI doses. The epithelial heights of the magnum, shell gland, rete testis and proximal efferent duct were reduced (P ≤ 0.05) in all IMI treatment groups. In addition, the epididymal duct epithelial heights decreased (P ≤ 0.05) at medium and high IMI doses, but changes in the distal efferent ducts were only observed in the high dose group. Overall, the results confirmed that pubertal exposure to IMI induced dose-dependent pathomorphological changes in male and female quail genital tracts, suggesting that IMI might impact their fertility and reproductive function.