Pyrethroid-Induced Reproductive Toxico-Pathology in Non-Target
Species
Latif Ahmad§, Ahrar Khan* and Muhammad Zargham Khan
Department of Pathology,Faculty of Veterinary Science,
University of Agriculture, Faisalabad,
§Present address:
Sargodha
MedicalCollege, University
of Sargodha,
Sargodha,
Pakistan *Corresponding author: ahrar1122@yahoo.com
Abstract
Pesticides used against agricultural
pests and ecto-parasite infestation in animalsmay also induce injurious effects
in humans, pets and farm animals.
pyrethroids are rapidly replacing other
insecticides due to relatively lower toxicity for mammals. However, they have
now become an environmental issue due to excessive use in agriculture, livestock
production, leather industry and shampoos etc. In addition to various clinical,
hemato-biochemical, immunosuppressive and neurotoxicological effects of
pyrethroids, more danger has been suspected with respect to reproductive
toxicity. The fetal resorption and early fetal mortality rate were found to be
significantly increased in female rabbits allowed mating with males exposed to
pyrethroid.The testicular and
epididymal sperm counts and serum testosterone concentrations in pyrethroid
treated animals were decreased. Moreover, abnormal spermatozoa, degenerated
spermatozoa, arrested spermatogenesis and connective tissue proliferation in
testes, and tailless spermatozoa in epididymis were reported with pyrethroid
exposure. A decrease in pregnancy rate, number of implantation sites and total
number of recovered fetuses have also been reported in female rabbits receiving
pyrethroid treatment during gestation and allowed mating with untreated male
rabbits. The progeny of pyrethroid exposed parents also showed toxic effects.
Vitamin E might be effective against pyrethroid induced reproductive toxicity.
The review concludes that pyrethroid exposure produces endocrine disruption and
decreases fertility in both sexes of various non-target species and produces
fetal mortality, which might be prevented by vitamin E supplementation due to
its anti-oxidant potential.