Male reproductive toxic effects of carbendazim: hitherto unreported targets in testis

摘要

Carbendazim (MBC), a widely used fungicide, is toxic to male reproductive mechanisms. Various cellular targets in the testis for MBC action are being understood only recently and still more targets have been conceived. The present study was aimed atfinding such newer targets. Male rats were administered through oral route a single dose of carbendazim (400mg/kg) and the testis was studied adopting routine histological technique. It has been observed that pachytene spermatocytes could also be targetsfor MBC action in the testis. The study also reports selective loss of step 14 spermatids, asynchrony of the stages in the spermatogenic cycle and development of Sertoli cell fibrosis of the seminiferous tubules of carbendazimtreated rats. From the different kinds of responses seen in the seminiferous tubules in the same testis to MBC, particularly in the Sertoli cell, MBC action in the testis appears dependent on the stage in the spermatogenic cycle at first exposure.