Morphometric analysis of mice testicular tubules after administration of Malathion and Maca

Abstract

Organophosphoric (OP) agropesticidas are amply used to increase food production. However, it has been verified that they induce alterations at testicular level related to the diminution of fertility in humans as in animals. On the other hand, different studies have been made to develop chemical or natural compounds that can induce an antagonistic effect to OP. In previous studies an extract from a plant, from the Peruvian Andes (Maca) has been recognized by its stimulating action on spermatogenesis. In the present study the effects of both external agents were evaluated on testicular sections of testis of adult male mice on a population of 52 mice CF1, divided at random in 4 groups (Control, Malathion, Maca, Malathion-Maca), with sacrifice intervals of 1,7, 14 and 21 days. By means of morphometric technique and using the "Image Tools 3,1" software, the histology of testicular sections was evaluated, to analyze the degree of alteration induced by these agents. The epithelial height main