Diazinon Affects the Cytoarchitecture of Seminiferous Epithelium in Rat Testis

Chemical pollution and reproductive toxicity has a close association leading into a possible infertility. Tes- ticular toxicity induced by chemicals is easy to evaluate since it has a pool of differentiating cells of different stages in the seminiferous epithelium. Most of the pesticide related preclinical studies have heavily dependent upon investigations on sperm density, abnormal sperm percent, reproductive hormone levels etc. Most of the toxins, in addition may affect the seminiferous tubular architecture, harmony as well as supporting cells such as Sertoli cells. Diazinon and its adverse sperm toxic effects are documented earlier but its effects on seminiferous tubules are less recorded. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of oral administration of diazinon (6mg, 7.5mg and 10mg/kg body weight/day for 5 and 30days) on acetylcholine esterase activity, histological aspects of testes and seminiferous tubular morphometry (STD & SEH). Acetyl- choline esterase activity was significantly decreased as a sign of toxicity, the dose tested. The STD and SEH were signifi- cantly decreased in all the 30days diazinon exposed groups. Histologically testes showed vacuoles, disruption and sloughing of basal germinal epithelium. This study confirms that diazinon disrupts cytoarchitectural components which may interfere with spermatogenesis.