Imidacloprid, a widely used neonicotinoid insecticide, targets nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in insects and potentially in mammals. This study evaluated its reproductive toxicity and the protective effect of resveratrol in male Wistar rats. The Maximum Tolerated Dose (MTD) of imidacloprid was 1850 mg/kg body weight (oral). Rats were divided into six groups (n = 18 each): Group 1 was untreated; Group 2 received resveratrol (2 mg/kg); Groups 3 and 4 received imidacloprid at 185 mg/kg (MTD/10) and 92.5 mg/kg (MTD/20); Groups 5 and 6 received the same imidacloprid doses along with resveratrol. Treatments were given orally once daily for 14 days to six rats from each group and 28 days to 12 rats from each group. Six rats from each group were sacrificed after 14 days, 28 days and 42 days. After completion of trial, blood and testes were collected for analysis. Data were evaluated using ANOVA and Tukey’s post-hoc test. In the 28-day study, imidacloprid significantly altered oxidative stress markers—malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyls, myeloperoxidase (MPO), catalase, and glutathione-S-transferase (GST)—which were improved by resveratrol. Imidacloprid also reduced plasma testosterone, increased pro-apoptotic Bax gene expression, and decreased antiapoptotic Bcl-2 levels. Histological analysis showed testicular damage, which was alleviated with resveratrol. The findings indicate that imidacloprid causes moderate to severe reproductive toxicity in male rats, and resveratrol offers notable protective effects.
Imidacloprid, Resveratrol, Rat, Reproductive toxicity, Testes
