Effect of an organochlorine insecticide, endosulfan, on blood parameters in rat

Endosulfan is an organochlorine insecticide and anti-worm which has a wide range of usage in controlling insects. This toxin can be absorbed through feeding, aspirating and skin in human and animal. This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of Endosulfan on blood parameters in rat. In this experimental research, 40 male rats were divided into 5 groups as follows: Control group, didn’t receive any substance. Placebo group received normal saline and three experimental groups received 5, 10 and 20 ml/kg Endosulfan (once every 3 days, for 21 days), respectively. Rats received placebo or Endosulfan by gavages. At the end of experiments, rats were anesthetized by chloroform and blood samples were prepared from the heart and finally the blood factors were evaluated using standard methods. Data were analyzed using one way ANOVA and Danken tests. The amount of monocytes significantly increased (P<0.05), however the amounts of RBC, lymphocytes and platelets significantly decreased (P<0.05), compared to the ones in control group. The results of this study demonstrated that long term usage of Endosulfan might have significant effects on blood factors. It can cause anemia, lymphocytopenia and thrombocytopenia. Therefore, more attention should be paied on the usage of this insecticide agent.