Toxicological Variations Induced by Acephate in Reproductive System of Female Albino Rats

The effect of oral administration of acephate on reproductive toxicity of female rats was assessed. The female rats were divided into four groups containing six rats each. Group I (T₁) was given 1/10^th of LD₅₀ (866 mg kg^-1 of body weight), Group II (T₂) was given 1/50^th of LD₅₀, and Group III (T₃) was given 1/25^th of LD₅₀ for 6 weeks by oral intubation. Group IV served as control and was given olive oil. The weight of uterus and oviduct decreased significantly in acephate treated groups, after 45 days of treatment. Estrous cycle showed non-significant variation with prolonged proestrous phase in treated groups as compared to control. Histological alterations were observed in the ovaries and uteri of treated rats as compared to control rats. Alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphatase enzymatic activity was found to decrease significantly in ovaries of treated rats. Total protein, cholesterol and phospholipids in ovaries of treated rats decreased significantly. The antioxidative enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) showed significant alterations in the ovaries of treated rats thus suggesting increased oxidative stress leading to damage in ovarian cells and affecting follicular development.