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A case study of risk assessment in Malaysia

Article in Toxicology Letters · August 2013

DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2013.05.520

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S218 Abstracts / Toxicology Letters 221S (2013) S59–S256
P19-17
Nigella sativa oil protects against reproductive
toxicity of acetamiprid insecticide in male rats
Mosbah Rachid 1,∗ , Yousef Mokhtar Ibrahim 2 , Chettoum Aziez 3
1
Department of Biology, Faculty of Siences, University of Boumerdes,
Algeria, 2 IGSR, Alexandria University, Egypt, 3 University of
Constantine, Skikda, Algeria
Purpose: Acetamiprid (ACMP) is one of the main neonicotinoides
used as insecticide on a large scale in agricultural activities. It has
been implicated in a several health problems in mammals through
its capacity to generate oxidative stress in several organs. Until
now, little is known about its adverse effects on the reproduc-
tive function. Hence, the present study was designed to investigate
the adverse reproductive effects of acetamiprid, besides the pos-
sible protective role of Nigella sativa oil (NSO), such as a potential
antioxidant agent, which believed to plays a role in reducing the
toxicity.
Methods: Thirty two male wistar rats were allocated into four
equal groups of eight of each as follows, control, acetamiprid
(ACMP, 27 mg/kg/bw), Nigella sativa oil (NSO, ml/kg/bw) and in
combination (ACMP + NSO). The experimental animals were dosed
by gavage (5/7 weekly) for 45 consecutive days. Then, body weight
gain, relative weights of reproductive organs, sperm characteristics,
testosterone and thiobarbutiric acid-reactive substances (TBARS)
levels and testicular histopathological changes were investigated.
Results: The obtained results show that acetamiprid induces
deleterious effects on the general health state and the semen qual-
ity pronounced by a decrease in body weight gain, relative weights
of reproductive organs (testis, epididymis and seminal vesicle),
spermatids number, sperm count, sperm motility and testosterone
levels. While abnormal and dead sperm and TBARS level were
increased. Histopathological examination of acetamiprid testis
group revealed also tubular atrophy, disorganization and degen-
erative aspect of the seminal epithelium in some seminiferous
tubules marked by spermatogenesis perturbation and poor sperm
and presence of sloughing cell debris in their lumens. The intersti-
tial tissue showed widened spaces between tubules with evidently
edema and bleeding. Besides, Nigella sativa oil co-administration
along acetamiprid can efficiently reverse and/or modulate all
acetamiprid-induced reproductive adverse effects to the normal
range. This protective role may be due to its antioxidant properties
and ability to reduce TBARS levels which was proven in this work.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.toxlet.2013.05.652
P19-18
Chronic exposure to ethephon induces
reproductive stress in albino rat
Mayurakshi Deka ∗ , Uma Dutta
P.G. Department of Zoology, Cotton College State University,
Guwahati, Assam 781001, India
Ethephon – a plant growth regulator, helps in pre and post
harvest ripening of some fruits and vegetables. It is used com-
mercially to hasten the ripening process. On decomposition, it
produces an active metabolite – ethylene that regulates the ripen-
ing and remains in the fruits for a longer time. Thus it may pose
a risk to human health, especially reproductive disorder. It was
found to have mutagenic and teratogenic effect. This study is
aimed at investigating the effect of ethephon in the reproductive
organs of albino rat after repeated oral exposure (25 mg, 50 mg/kg
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body wt.). The study was based on alterations of estrous cycle
and cell type morphology; sperm morphology and count along
with histopathological architecture of testes and ovaries following
standard procedures with Neubaur chamber, Geimsa stain, haemo-
toxylin and eosin method.
Findings of the study showed a significant decrease in the
number of estrous cycle, duration of each estrous phase with con-
comitant significant increase of diestrous phase mostly in 50 mg
group. Sperm motility and count were significantly reduced in both
doses. Histologically, the ovary revealed a loss of functional fol-
licles with increase of atretic follicles; the testes showed lack of
maturation and differentiation of spermatozoa, degenerated sper-
matocyte with infiltration of lymphocytes in the interstial space
of seminiferous tubules. Membrane disruption was found in sper-
matocyte and cell types of estrous phases. In conclusion, ethephon
is a potent agent that causes reproductive stress leading to hor-
monal imbalance which may in the long run result in reproductive
failure.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.toxlet.2013.05.653
P20: Risk Assessment
P20-01
A case study of risk assessment in Malaysia
Letchumi Thannimalay
SIRIM, Malaysia
The effects of bisphenol A on the reproductive and develop-
mental toxicity are related to its endocrine disruption potential.
To date, there is no production of bisphenol A in Malaysia and the
only potential source of residual bisphenol A is released during the
use of polycarbonate resins or polymers. A risk assessment study
was conducted to evaluate the residual bisphenol A released during
the injection moulding process in a plastic moulding factory.
The air in the factory’s workplace and the ambient air were
analysed for bisphenol A using the Gas Chromatograph Mass Spec-
trogram (GCMS). The risk assessment of the bisphenol A released
during the injection moulding process was carried out using the
European Union System for the Evaluation of Substances (EUSES)
software.
From this study, the mean concentrations of airborne bisphenol
A in the ambient air and polycarbonate work area were 3.1 ng/m3
and 16 ng/m3 respectively. The Margin of Safety was calculated
using the NOAEL value of 23.3 mg/m3 and the exposure of bisphe-
nol A was 3 × 10−3 mg/m3 which was the highest measured value in
the plastic moulding factory. Meanwhile, the Margin of Safety based
on the actual measurement of bisphenol A in the plastic moulding
factory was 7.7 × 105 . However, the Margin of Safety for bisphe-
nol A in polycarbonate matrix were above 1000 for both measured
and calculated value indicating further risk assessment studies are
not needed. The risk assessment output indicated that there is at
present no necessity for further information or testing or for risk
reduction measures beyond those which are being applied.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.toxlet.2013.05.520