Endocrine Effect of Beta Cypermethrin on Female Albino Rats

Abstract

Pyrethroids are among the common pesticides frequently used in agriculture and in homes, and have been named among the endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Cypermethrin, a broad spectrum insecticide being extensively used for pest management and animal husbandry practices is a type II pyrethroid. Previous studies have shown that cypermethrin has adverse effect on female reproduction with no adequate information on its effect on sex hormones. The present study was highlighted to evaluate the effects of Beta cypermethrin, β-cyp, on the estrous cycle and the serum sex hormones of adult female albino rats. Twenty female albino rats were randomly assigned into four groups and they were treated by oral gavage with β-cyp, at doses of 0, 15, 30 and 50 mg/kg body weight for fourteen consecutive days. The estrous cycle was determined; and hormonal assays for estrogen, progesterone, LH and FSH were done using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). There was no significant (p>0.05) change in the serum sex hormones and the estrous cycle in treated groups relative to the control. This study demonstrates that the endocrine effect of β-cyp on female albino rats is not significant. However, the altered levels of hormones recorded in this study suggests that β-cyp, could be a potential endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) to those exposed indiscriminately to it.