Cytotoxic and Genotoxic Effects of Acephate on Human Sperm

Extensive use of organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) could alter semen quality and sperm DNA at different stages of spermatogenesis. Acephate is a highly toxic extensively used OP and, therefore, we aimed to evaluate the effects of acephate on human semen quality and sperm DNA integrity. Sperm collected from healthy males were exposed to 0, 50, 100, and 200 mu g/mL of acephate and incubated for 1 h, 2 h, and 3 h. Subsequently, sperm motility, vitality, functional integrity of plasma membrane, sperm capacitation, and DNA damage were examined. Result showed a significant decline of the motility at 100 mu g/mL after 3 h and with 200 mu g/mL after 1 h, 2 h, and 3 h. Viability was significantly reduced at 200 mu g/mL after 2 h and 3 h. Functional integrity was significantly affected at 100 mu g/mL after 3h and in 200 mu g/mL dose after 2 h and 3h. Similarly, sperm capacitation was significantly affected at 200 mu g/mL after 1 h, 2 h, and 3 h and at 100 mu g/mL at 3 h. DNA damage was significantly increased only in 200 mu g/mL dose after 3 h. The study suggests that exposure to acephate may result in alterations of sperm structure and function thus contributing towards deteriorating in human semen quality triggering infertility.