Assessment of reproductive toxicity of Cyfluthrin and Pestban either individually or combined in adult male albino rats

Many studies on individual pesticide risk assessments are available, but the toxicity of combined usage is still to estimate. So, the current study investigated reproductive toxicity induced by exposure to cyfluthrin (CYF) and pestban (PES) and their mixture in adult male albino rats. Forty adult male albino rats were randomized into four groups. All treatments were given daily by oral gavage for 60 days. Group I (control group): this group included 16 rats, divided into two equal subgroups: subgroup Ia (negative control) and subgroup Ib (a vehicle control), in which each rat received 2 ml of corn oil. Group II: CYF group (15.6 mg/kg). Group III; PES group (7.45 mg/kg). Group IV: CYF + PES. Individual CYF and PES exposure significantly decreased testicular weight, serum testosterone level, and epididymal sperm count when compared to the control group. These biochemical changes were confirmed by histological and ultra-structural disarray and reduced immunoreactions of Melan-A (also known as MART-1, Melanoma Antigen Recognized by T-cells), but mutual exposure to both pesticides resulted in a highly significant difference compared to other treated groups. Co-administration of CYF and PES aggravated testicular toxicity, exhausting the endogenous antioxidant status, and down-regulating the immune expression of Melan-A. So, mixing both components can intensify the damaging effects of each compound on testes.