Subchronic exposure to Voliam Targo® affects ovarian histology and reproductive performance in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus).

Abstract

In the current study, we evaluated the subchronic toxic effects of the Voliam Targo® (VT) insecticide on the ovaries of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) as well as the potential reproductive performance effects. The experiment was conducted using thirty females and thirty males, which were divided into two treated groups: control (distilled water) and VT (15 mg/kg b.w., by gavage, daily for 85 days). After a treatment period of 17 days, male and female rabbits from the two groups were randomly assigned to four artificial insemination (AI) mating groups using heterospermy or homospermy. The regimen continued through the gestation periods until 35 days of lactation, during which the first-generation (F1) offspring were monitored. At the end of the study, histomorphometric and immunohistochemical analyses were used to assess ovarian damage. The results revealed that body, ovary, uterine horn, cervix, and vagina weights did not vary significantly in the VT group compared to the control. Concerning reproductive performance, paternal exposure to VT insecticide caused a significant (p < 0.01) increase in the number of live fetuses and a decrease in the percentage of death in pups during the postnatal period. Also, VT treatment resulted in ovarian tissue structure disorganization, including follicular atresia, hemorrhagic follicles, and ovarian degeneration. Moreover, Ki67, P53, and Bcl-2 protein expression in the ovaries of the VT-treated group differed from the control group. This study suggests that subchronic exposure to Voliam Targo® may affect ovarian structure and reproductive performance by altering cell proliferation and apoptosis.