Abstract

EFFECT OF FYTOLAN ON TESTICULAR FUNCTIONS AND SEX HORMONES

B. L. Mehra, Priyanka Sharma, Utkarsh Kaushik and *S. C. Joshi

ABSTRACT

Indiscriminate use of fungicides has caused severe environmental and public health hazards. Fytolan was used in present study because it is the most commonly used fungicide but not much is known about its toxicity. The present study was undertaken with an objective to determine the possible adverse effects of fytolan on testicular functions and sex hormones of male rat. The tested dose was administrated orally to the wistar rats at the dose level 5 mg, 7.5 mg and 10 mg/kg. b. wt./day for 30 days. A significant decrease in weight of testis and accessory sex organs was observed. Marked reduction in the sperm motility in cauda epididymis was noticed. A significant decrease insperm density was also observed in testis and cauda epididymis. A 100% negative fertility was observed in fytolan treated animals. Significant reduction in testicular glycogen and sialic acid content was observed, but cholesterol and protein content was found to be elevated. From a reduced reproduction success, marked reduction in sperm motility and density, with adverse effect on hormone biosynthesis, this could be deduced that fytolan act as toxicant to reproductive system.

Keywords: Fytolan, testosterone, sperm motility, sperm density, fertility, rat.