Histopathological effects of organometallic maneb on testis in rats: a light and electron microscopic study.

Maneb is a dithiocarbamate fungicide that contains manganese. Dithiocarbamates are considered to be chemicals of low toxicity. An experimental group (n = 10) received maneb (obtained from Hoecht-Shering) at a concentration of 250 ppm in distilled water five days a week (treatment time is three weeks). It was orally administered by an orogastric tube. Acute oral LD 50 for male rats has been found to be 6750 mg/kg. The control group (n = 10) received distilled water. The whole body and testis weights of male rats were taken, and significant differences in body weight appeared between the control and treated groups (P < 0.01). No statistical difference was found in the testis weights between the control and treated groups (P < 0.05). Degeneration in spermatic cells can be seen in a few seminiferous tubules and vascularization. Transmission electron microscopy, interstitial cell and blood vessels of maneb-treated rat testis did not show any changes. Leydig cells with their large, excentric nuclei, cytoplasm with granular endoplasmic reticulum and other cell organelles appeared to be normal. Sertoli cells appeared unusually as a well developed rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complexes had irregular compacted chromatin. Changes in Sertoli cell mitochondria included swelling and loss of cristae.