Induction of gonadal toxicity to male rats after chronic exposure to mancozeb.

Mancozeb-a fungicide of ethylenebisdithiocarbamate group was orally administered at doses of 500, 1,000 and 1,500 mg/kg body weight/day for 30, 90, 180 and 360 days. Signs of toxicity mortality pattern and loss in body weight were observed in dose dependent manner. However, signs of intoxication and mortality pattern were more pronounced till the exposure of 90 days. A significant increase in testes and decrease in epididymis weight were associated with degeneration in seminiferous and epididymal tubules with loss of sperms. The decrease in gonadal acid phosphatase (ACP), succinic dehydrogenase (SDH) and increase in alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity were observed with increased serum cholesterol. Sialic acid and protein content of testis and epididymis were also decreased in dose dependent manner. The study has thus indicated marked biochemical and pathological changes in gonads of male rats after chronic exposure to mancozeb.