Alterations in gonado somatic index, seminogram and testosterone profiles in rats treated with hexaconazole

Hexaconazole, a triazole fungicide is widely used in crop protection. The ability of the triazoles to inhibit cytochromes P450 dependent enzymes that play an important role in steroid hormone synthesis has been reported earlier. Hence, the possible effect of hexaconazole on male accessory sex organs, seminogram and serum testosterone level was studied in male rats. A total of eighty wistar rats aged 10-12 weeks, were randomly assigned to four groups, each with twenty rats. Group I served as control and received corn oil per os @ 1ml/kg body weight. Groups II, III and IV were given hexaconazole suspension in corn oil daily @ 22.5 55.0 and 110.0mg/kg, per os , orally. Ten rats in each group were sacrificed on 30th day, while the remaining ten rats were sacrificed on 60th day. Weights of testis, prostate gland and seminal vesicles were recorded in all the rats and epididymal sperm reserve was analyzed for seminogram. Testosterone levels were also studied in the serum of treated rats. Results indicated that hexaconazole significantly decreased the weights of testis, prostate and seminal glands, indicating a decrease in gonado somatic index. The seminogram was found adversely affected in terms of decreased total epididymal sperm count and motility and increased dead sperm percent and abnormal sperm percent. Serum testosterone levels were found significantly lowered by hexaconazole both after 30 days and 60 days treatments. Decreased gonado somatic index was attributed to decreased circulating testosterone levels. Adverse affects on seminogram might have occurred from lowered testosterone levels as well as alterations in epididymal milieu due to possible presence of hexaconazole and/or its metabolites.