Abstract
Abstract
Methoxychlor (MeOCL), a chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticide, was administered by oral gavage for 70 days to male and 14 days to female rats at dose levels of 100 and 200 mg/kg/day of body weight. Methoxychlor inhibited spermatogenesis in the males and folliculogenesis in female rats. The sustentacular (Sertoli) cells showed degenerative fatty changes as a result of which blood-testis barrier could have been affected. Degenerative changes of the spermatogonia and the spermatocytes and transformation of some of these cells into polynucleated and binucleate cells were observed. Myelin figures and degenerate mitochondria were observed in the binucleate cells at the ultrastructural level. Some of the seminiferous tubules were devoid of all cellular elements with the exception of spermatogonia. The epithelium of the ductus epididymis manifested conspicuous cytoplasmic vacuolations, and near the tail, the duct was distended with fluid which compressed the lining epithelium. Atresia of the ovarian follicles was evident with pyknosis and karyorhexis of the granulosa cells.
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