Effects of Exposure to Cypermethrin on the Onset of Puberty and Ovarian Biomarkers in Female Prepubertal Rat: Attenuating Role of Zinc

Abstract

Cypermethrin, a synthetic pyrethyroid pesticide, is used for more than one decade to control a wide variety of pests in agriculture. The present study designed to evaluate the protective role of zinc in attenuating cypermethrin induced reproductive toxicity in female prepubertal rat. Female prepubertal rat received oral cypermethrin alone at two dose levels and zinc alone or combined with cypermethrin for consecutive 14 days. Cypermethrin arrested vaginal opening, reduced the weights of ovaries and uterus. Total cholesterol and ascorbic acid content of the ovaries were elevated whereas the activities of Δ5,3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 17 β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase were decreased in a dose-dependent manner. In the adrenal gland of rat these parameters showed opposite findings. The levels of serum LH, FSH and estradiol were also decreased. Cypermethrin treatment also produced oxidative stress in ovary by significant increase in malondialdehyde level, accompanied by a reduction in reduced glutathi one and antioxidant enzymes. From the results, we may conclude that cypermethrin suppresses the female reproductive functions in rat by disrupting the estrous cycle and ovarian biomarkers by increasing oxidative stress and zinc attenuates the cypermethrin-induced toxicity.