Vol. 8, Issue 7 (2019)

Author(s):
Shasta Kalra and Gurinder Kaur Sangha

Abstract:
Cypermethrin (CYP), a fourth generation synthetic pyrethroid, is on great demand in agricultural practices, because of its targeted approach and rapid biodegradability. The present investigation was designed to study the toxic effects of two chronic sub-lethal doses of CYP in female and male rats. The rats were divided into three group, each group consisting of eight rats. Control rats were given olive oil, while other two group of rats were orally intubated with sub-chronic does levels of 1/25^th and 1/50^th LD₅₀ of CYP dissolved in olive oil respectively daily for four weeks. Feed-water intake and clinical symptoms were observed daily along with weekly changes in body weight, and circulatory levels of gonadotrophins and steroid hormones in blood. Loose fecal pellets, hyperirritability and reduced average daily feed and water intake was observed in CYP treated female and male rats as compared to control rats. Net body weight gain was significantly lower in 1/25^th of LD₅₀ cypermethrin treated female and male rats. FSH, Estrogen, progesterone and testosterone hormone levels showed significant decrease in CYP treated groups. Results infer that cypermethrin exposure has adverse effect on body metabolism and on the reproductive hormones and severity increases at high doses which have the potential to disrupt gonadal endocrine axis and can lead to number of pathophysiological reproductive disorders.