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The Reproductive Injury and Oxidative Testicular Toxicity Induced by Chlorpyrifos Can Be Restored by Zinc in Male Rats

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Abstract

The current study aimed to evaluate the harmful effect of chlorpyrifos (CPF) on the reproductive functions and fertility in male rats and to assess the protective role of zinc (Zn) in improving the adverse effects of CPF on male fertility. Sixty mature male rats were divided into four groups: Group 1: The control group was orally administered with the corresponding dose of corn oil. Group 2 animals received chlorpyrifos (1 mg/kg, oral). Group 3 rats received oral zinc (25 mg/kg) daily. Group 4 animals received oral zinc treatment (25 mg/kg). CPF caused a significant decrease in the body and reproductive organs’ weights, sperm count, sperm motility percent, serum testosterone, FSH, and LH. The CPF-treated group showed a significant increase in dead sperm percent and sperm abnormalities. CPF induced a significant internucleosomal DNA fragmentation and marked histological alterations in the testes of treated male rats. Conversely, co-treatment with Zn improved the reproductive organs weights, sperm characteristics, internucleosomal DNA fragmentation, and histological alterations of the testes. In conclusion, CPF triggered significant detrimental effects on male reproductive organs and functions and the co-treatment with zinc partly alleviate the injurious effects of CPF on male fertility.

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Funding

The authors received funding from the Deanship of Scientific Research (DSR), King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia, under grant no. R.G.P.1/190/41.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt

    Abdel Azem Khalaf & Adel F. Tohamy

  2. Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia

    Hanan A. Ogaly

  3. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt

    Marwa A. Ibrahim

  4. Central Lab of Pesticides, Dokki, Giza, Egypt

    Amr A. Abdallah & Amr R. Zaki

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  1. Abdel Azem Khalaf
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  2. Hanan A. Ogaly
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  3. Marwa A. Ibrahim
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Correspondence to Marwa A. Ibrahim.

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Khalaf, A.A., Ogaly, H.A., Ibrahim, M.A. et al. The Reproductive Injury and Oxidative Testicular Toxicity Induced by Chlorpyrifos Can Be Restored by Zinc in Male Rats. Biol Trace Elem Res 200, 551–559 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-021-02704-3

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