Effects of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) treatment on the epididymal spermatozoa, blood serum transaminases and its accumulation in liver of rats.

摘要

Phenoxyacetic acid herbicides constitute one of the largest groups of herbicides used in the world. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of the herbicide, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), on some blood parameters and toxicity of the male reproductive system of Sprague Dawley (CD) rats. The level of 2,4-D in the liver and its metabolite (2,4-DCP) was determined using the HPLC method, and the weight of the livers was also measured. Three different concentrations of the pesticide were used. The animals were treated orally with 25 and 50 ppm of water and 50 and 100 ppm of food for 30 days. An insignificant difference in the blood parameters was observed between the groups. The level of 2,4-D in the liver was significantly higher in both feed and water groups compared to that of the control group (p<0.01). The level of 2,4-DCP in the liver also increased in all the experimental groups compared to the control group (p<0.01), with the exception of the water group which had the lowest concentration. As far as the abnormal spermatozoa rates of rats were concerned, the values of the experimentally fed groups were higher than that of the control group, and the difference between them was significant (p<0.01)..