EFFECTS OF PROPICONAZOLE ON TESTIS TISSUE AND TESTOSTERONE HORMONE CHANGES IN NMRI MICE

Propiconazole is a systematic fungicide from triazoles that are widely used to control fungal diseases. This toxin causes cellular, genetic, and metabolic damages to animals. This study aimed to determine the effects of propiconazole on testis tissue and levels of testosterone hormone in mice. In this experimental study, 28 adult male mice with the average age of 12 weeks were randomly divided into four groups including control, sham and experimental one and two groups. Experimental 1and 2 received 0.5 and 1.5 mg propiconazole/kg bw, respectively, by gavage for 4 weeks. Sham group received solvent and control group received no toxin. The mice were killed 7 days later and the histological appearance of testis was investigated. Testosterone hormone concentration was measured by radioimmunoassay. The number of germ cells and seminiferous diameters in experimental 2 group significantly reduced compared to the control group. Also the number of Leydig cells of the experimental groups significantly reduced compared to the control group. (p<0.05) The results suggest that testes are sensitive to propiconazole and their effects are dose-dependent.