Ovarian toxicity in rats caused by methidathion and ameliorating effect of vitamins E and C

Hum Exp Toxicol. 2007 Jun;26(6):491-8. doi: 10.1177/0960327106077505.

Abstract

We have investigated the effect of subchronic administration of methidathion (MD) on ovary evaluated ameliorating effects of vitamins E and C against MD toxicity. Experimental groups were as follows: control group; a group treated with 5 mg/kg body weight MD (MD group); and a group treated with 5 mg/kg body weight MD plus vitamin E and vitamin C (MD + Vit group). MD and MD + Vit groups were given MD by gavage five days a week for four weeks at a dose level of 5 mg/kg/day by using corn oil as the vehicle. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA: an indicator of lipid peroxidation) concentration, serum activity of cholinesterase (ChE), and ovary histopathology were studied. The level of MDA increased significantly in the MD group compared with the control (P < 0.005). Serum MDA decreased significantly in the MD + Vit group compared with the MD group (P < 0.05). The activities of ChE decreased significantly both in the MD and MD + Vit groups compared with the controls ( P < 0.05). However, the decrease in the MD + Vit groups was less than in the MD group; the ChE activity in the MD + Vit group was significantly higher compared with MD group (P < 0.05). Number of ovarian follicles were significantly lower in the MD group compared to the controls (P < 0.05). Number of atretic follicles were significantly higher in the MD group than in the controls (P < 0.05). Follicle counts in MD + Vit group showed that all types of ovarian follicles were significantly higher, and a significant decrease in the number of atretic follicles compared with the MD group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, subchronic MD administration caused an ovarian damage, in addition, LPO may be one of the molecular mechanisms involved in MD-induced toxicity. Treatment with vitamins E and C after the administration of MD reduced LPO and ovarian damage.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Ascorbic Acid / administration & dosage
  • Ascorbic Acid / therapeutic use*
  • Cholinesterases / metabolism
  • Corpus Luteum / drug effects
  • Corpus Luteum / metabolism
  • Corpus Luteum / pathology
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Estrous Cycle / drug effects
  • Fatigue / chemically induced
  • Female
  • Injections, Intraperitoneal
  • Insecticides / toxicity
  • Intubation, Gastrointestinal
  • Malondialdehyde / blood
  • Organothiophosphorus Compounds / toxicity*
  • Ovarian Diseases / blood
  • Ovarian Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Ovarian Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Ovarian Follicle / drug effects
  • Ovarian Follicle / metabolism
  • Ovarian Follicle / pathology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Tocopherols
  • Vitamins / administration & dosage
  • Vitamins / therapeutic use
  • Weight Gain / drug effects
  • Weight Loss / drug effects
  • alpha-Tocopherol / administration & dosage
  • alpha-Tocopherol / analogs & derivatives*
  • alpha-Tocopherol / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Insecticides
  • Organothiophosphorus Compounds
  • Vitamins
  • Malondialdehyde
  • Cholinesterases
  • alpha-Tocopherol
  • Ascorbic Acid
  • Tocopherols
  • methidathion