1,3-Dichloro-2-propanol induces testicular toxicity by altering biochemical and hormonal indices of fertility in male rats

1,3-Dichloro-2-propanol (1,3-DCP) is a moderately volatile organic compound with industrial applications in food and water processing, but it exhibits high reactivity with lipid-rich tissues. This study examines the effect of 1,3-DCP on reproductive fertility parameters in male Wistar rats. Male animals weighing 250 ± 50 grams were assigned randomly to five groups (A-E). Group A received distilled water (control), while groups B-E received oral doses of 5, 10, 15, and 20 mg/kg BW 1,3-DCP for 28 days. Then, analysis was conducted to evaluate the experimental animals' hormonal profiles, spermatogenic activity, testicular function markers, and enzymatic antioxidant status. Oral administration of the chemical caused a significant decrease in body weight, testicular weight, and testes/body weight ratio as well as cholesterol levels in serum and testicular homogenate. While the compound decreased testosterone, luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormone concentrations, it also lowered alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, and gamma-glutamyl transferase concentrations in testicular tissue samples. Increased malondialdehyde levels, accompanied by a corresponding reduction in glutathione, catalase, and superoxide dismutase in the testicular homogenate, suggest that 1,3-DCP administration resulted in reactive oxygen species-mediated oxidative stress, leading to a consequent decrease in sperm count and abnormalities in spermatozoa morphology. The findings of this study revealed that 1,3-DCP has antifertility effects in male Wistar rats.