Background: Fenvalerate (FEN) has been demonstrated to be a reproductive toxicant in humans and rodents. However, little is known about whether short-term exposure to low-dose FEN produces reproductive toxicity.
Methods: We administered FEN (0.009 375, 0.1875, 3.750, or 45.00 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1) by gavage for 30 days) to male ICR mice and compared reproductive toxicity parameters between groups receiving different concentrations of FEN. Reproductive toxicity was evaluated by computer-assisted semen quality analysis (CASA), chlortetracycline (CTC) assay, and histopathology.
Results: The sperm morphology and testis histology of FEN-exposed mice (all doses) were similar to that in controlling mice. Exposure to FEN at a concentration of 0.1875 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1) decreased sperm path straightness (STR) and linearity (LIN) (both P < 0.05), but had no significant impact on average path velocity (VAP), straight line velocity (VSL), curvilinear velocity (VCL), lateral amplitude (ALH), beat cross frequency (BCF), or progressive motility (MOT). FEN reduced the rate of mouse sperm capacitation in a dose-dependent manner.
Conclusion: The present results demonstrate that exposure to low-dose FEN for 30 days reduces semen quality and sperm capacitation in adult mice.