Antouka Super® induced oxidative stress and reproductive toxicity in male Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

Impact of sub-chronic exposure to Kalach on male reproductive system and sperm function: In silico modelling and in vivo study in rats

Kalach 360 SL (KL), a glyphosate-based herbicide, is among the most widely used herbicides in Tunisia. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of sub-chronic exposure to KL on the male reproductive system and sperm parameters in adult rats after one and two cycles of spermatogenesis. 15 rats were randomly divided into three groups: a control group (G1) and two experimental groups (G2 and G3), exposed to KL at a dose of 102.2 mg/kg each day for 48 days. Treated groups G2 and G3 were sacrificed at day 48 and at day 96, respectively. We measured serum levels of testosterone and oestradiol, oxidative stress markers in testis, epididymal sperm parameters, sperm mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), as well as testicular histopathology and morphometry as diagnostic markers of reproductive dysfunction. Additionally, we complemented the in vivo study with in silico modelling. Kl impaired sperm parameters, altered MMP, promoted oxidative stress, and affected testicular morphology, leading to reduced seminiferous epithelium height and delayed spermatogenesis arrest. KL caused significant declines in serum testosterone levels after 48 days (G2 group), supporting the herbicide's anti-androgenic activity. Notably, following cessation of exposure, testosterone levels increased and sperm concentration returned to normal by day 96 (G3 group). The computational approach revealed that glyphosate binds to the androgen receptor (2Q7K and 3QKM) with good affinities and strong molecular interactions, corroborating the in vivo results. We conclude that KL may interfere with spermatogenesis, impair male fertility, and function as a potential endocrine disruptor with anti-androgenic activity.

Effect of the defoliant tribufos on the reproductive ability of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica)

As a cotton defoliator, tribufos (S,S,S-tributyl phosphorotrithioate) is widespread in the environment. It can cause neurotoxicity in chickens, reproductive toxicity in rats, and can also cause headaches and nausea in humans. However, little is known about its impact on the reproduction of birds. Here, by analyzing the differences in reproductive indexs and histopathological characteristics, we investigated the chronic effects of 32 mg a.i./kg, 160 mg a.i./kg and 800 mg a.i./kg tribufos treatment on the reproductive ability of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). The results indicated that 32 mg a.i./kg and 160 mg a.i./kg tribufos treatment significantly reduced the food intake of quails, significantly increased the broken egg rate, and had adverse effects on gonads and liver tissue. The 160 mg a.i./kg tribufos treatment also significantly reduced the average egg production. Moreover, 800 mg a.i./kg treatment had significant negative effects on feed intake (FI), body weight (BW), eggshell thickness, egg production (EP), fertilization rate, hatchability and progeny 14-d survival rate, and it also significantly increased the broken egg rate. In addition, tribufos exposure caused lesions in quail gonads and liver tissue. Overall, our results revealed that tribufos had adverse effects on the reproductive ability of Japanese quail, especially at high concentrations.

Growth performance and reproductive function impairment of glyphosate-based herbicide in male guinea pig (Cavia porcellus)

Glyphosate formulations, widely applied non-selective systemic herbicides, are progressively becoming the most controversial pesticides on the market due the adverse effects they pose to humans and environment. The information on these potential hazardous effects to the handlers of the pesticide remains obscure. This study investigated effects of glyphosate-based herbicide on growth performance, seminal parameters and hemato-biochemical profiles in male guinea pig. Forty sexually mature male guinea pigs weighing between 393.3 and 418.4 g were divided into four groups of 10 animals each and orally administered 0, 186, 280 and 560 mg/kg body weight of WILLOSATE daily for 60 days. Daily feed intake and body weight gain were recorded. At the end of experimental period all animals were humanely sacrificed, and blood samples and vital organs were collected for appropriate analysis. Results showed a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in body weight gain (-102.2%), final body weight (-9.8%) and feed intake (-13.1%) of animals following sub-chronic exposure of WILLOSATE. The weights of the liver and kidney increased significantly (p < 0.05) by 25.4% and 28.8%, respectively, while testicular weights decreased (p < 0.05) by 24% with increasing doses of WILLOSATE. A decrease in sperm motility (-67.9%), viability (-52.7%) and concentration per vas deferens (-40.7%), and an increase in sperm major (28.1%) and minor (45.3%) morphological aberrations were recorded in WILLOSATE - exposed guinea pigs when compared to controls. There was a dose-dependent increase (p < 0.05) in MCV and WBC and a decrease in Hb content and RBC, as well as serum content in total protein (-11.8%). The serum content of cholesterol (37.8%), urea (87.1%), creatinine (22.4%), ALAT (74.2%) and ASAT (88.7%) were significantly higher in treated groups compared to controls. These results point toward the toxic effects of WILLOSATE on vital organs and reproductive function of the body at high doses and long-term exposure.

Effect of dietary inclusion of small quantities of Mucuna pruriens seed meal on sexual behavior, semen characteristics, and biochemical parameters in rabbit bucks (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

The aim of this work was to investigate the effects of Mucuna pruriens seed meal (MSM) on sexual behavior, semen, and biochemical parameters in rabbit bucks. Twenty-four 12-week-old rabbit bucks weighing 1002 to 1156 g were randomly allocated to three experimental diets containing 0, 1.5, and 3% of MSM in a 3-month trial. Sexual behavior parameters such as mounting latency, mounting frequency, successful mounting frequency, intromission latency, and post ejaculatory interval were monitored at the end of the experiment by mating with receptive females. Thereafter, rabbits were weighed, stunned, and humanely sacrificed and testes, epididymis, and vas deferens were harvested for evaluation of organ weights and semen characteristics. Results indicate that supplementing rabbit diet with MSM induced a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in mounting latency (69.7%) and intromission latency (19.7%), while it significantly (P < 0.05) increased successful mounting frequency (60%) as well as relative weight of testis (33.3%) and vas deferens (54.5%). There was a dose-dependent increase (P < 0.05) in sperm motility (35.7%) and concentration (65.9%), serum albumin (19.1%) and protein concentration (9.9%), and a decrease in sperm morphological alterations (68.3%), serum cholesterol (13.4%), and urea (11.6%) in treatment groups where MSM was supplemented at 3% compared to controls. From the findings, it appears MSM is a potential enhancer of male reproductive performance that can be recommended to rabbit farmers for improving reproductive performance and quality of semen, hence a boon to reproduction and production in rabbit farming industry.