The Acute Toxicological Effects of Paraquat on Male Reproductive Hormones (Testosterone, Luteinizing Hormone and Follicle Stimulating Hormone) of Intoxicated Rats

Abstract

Paraquat (PQ) a contact herbicide widely used to control weeds in agricultural, recreational, or industrial sites has been linked in various studies as a contributory agent to high male infertility in regions of most use. The current study investigated the acute toxicity effect of PQ administered intraperitoneal (ip.) on reproductive hormones; luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone (Te) of male rats. 24 rats, grouped four per group (A–F) were singularly administered different doses of PQ (0, 0.09, 0.18, 0.35, 0.70 and 1.00 g/kg BW) respectively. The animals were closely observed within 24 h for signs of toxicity, including death. The time of onset of such signs were noted and recorded against the dose levels, from where the median lethal dose (LD₅₀) were calculated, and at near-death state 4 ml of blood samples were collected using cardiac procedures. The samples were processed and analyzed for sex hormones: LH, FSH and Te. The results obtained indicated that the LD₅₀ of PQ was 0.45 g/Kg, classified as moderately toxic to the rats. The onset-time of symptoms (pallor, sedation, respiratory distress, convulsion, coma and death) decreased with increase in dose, while the severity of symptoms increased with increase in dose given, with the dead animals presenting at dose 0.18 g/Kg BW (group C) and increasing in number till dose 1.00 g/Kg BW (group F). Paraquat at dose level 0.09 to 1.00 g/kg BW caused significant, dose dependent, decreases in the mean levels of LH and Te (P≤0.001) with no observable significant change noted on the mean FSH levels (P≥0.001). These effects were suggestive of possibly sterility action of PQ on the rat. From the results, it is obvious that caution should be applied when handling PQ or any other related chemical to preclude possible deleterious effects of paraquat on male fertility.

Keywords: Paraquat, acute, toxicity, sex hormones, male rats

Cite this Article

Okolonkwo BN. The Acute Toxicological Effects of Paraquat on Male Reproductive Hormones (Testosterone, Luteinizing Hormone and Follicle Stimulating Hormone) of Intoxicated Rats. Research and Reviews: Journal of Toxicology. 2015; 5(3): 13–16p.