Effect of Coadministration of Lambda Cyhalothrin and Different Local Spices on Testicular Histology in Swiss Mice

Aim: This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of coadministration of lambda cyhalothrin and different local spices on testicular histology in Swiss mice

Experimental Design: A completely randomized experimental design using standard methods for analysis.

Location and Duration of Study: This study was carried out in the Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. GPS 4o47'50''N 6o58'49''E The study lasted for 14days.

Methodology: Forty-two male mice were randomly selected into six (6) groups A-F (n=7/group). Group B were gavage 10mg/kg/bw/day of lambda cyhalothrin (LCT) alone. Group C, D, and E were gavaged 10mg/kg/bw/day of LCT and 20mg/kg/bw/day of Tetrepleura tetraptera, Piper guineense, and Xylopia aethiopica respectively, while group F received 10mg/kg/bw/day of LCT and 20mg/kg/bw/day of combination of the three spices. All animals were allowed access to cool clean water and standard rat pellet ad libitum. Twenty-four hours to the termination of the experiment, feed was withdrawn from the animals. From each mouse, 0.5g of testis was fixed in 10% formalin and sectioned with a Digital Microtome at 5µm thick and stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin (H &E). Photomicrographs were generated with a digital Microscope Biosphere Miller B with an image processor DN2 – Microscopy Image processing Software at X40 magnification.

Results: Histological analysis of the testes reveal epithelium devoid of spermatogenic element in group B animals administered lambda cyhalothrin only, depicting that LCT impaired spermatogenesis in the mice. In group C the seminiferous epithelium had normal spermatogenic cell complement comparable to the control in group A. In group D, E and F there was gradual regeneration of the interstitial cells of leydig and the accompanying repopulation of the seminiferous epithelium. This reveals that Tetrapleura tetraptera seem to have a greater antioxidant and therapeutic effect against the cyhalothrin-induced reproductive toxicity in exposed animals compared to Piper guineense and Xylopia aethiopica. Therefore, uncontrolled dietary inclusion of Piper guineense and Xylopia aethiopica is not advised as it may hinder spermatogenesis in males. Also, regulatory bodies should ensure that people and wildlife are not exposed to pesticides and insecticides at levels that may cause adverse effects by restricting the handling of such pesticides to Professionals.