The effects of diazinon on pituitary- gonad axis and ovarian histological changes in rats

Diazinon is a widely used Organophosphate insecticide which is applied against plant pests. This compound has various side effects because it acts as an acetyl cholinesterase enzyme inhibitor.

The aim of present study was to investigate the effects of diazinon on pituitary–gonad axis and ovarian histological changes in rats.

In total 50 female wistar rats were divided into 5 groups of 10 including control sham and experimental groups I II and III which orally received 50 100 and 150 mg/kg/bw diazinon for 14 days respectively. Diazinon was administered orally and 24 hours after the last treatment blood samples were taken from the heart centrifuged and sera were evaluated for the concentrations of estrogen progesterone and gonadotropins via RIA method. In addition ovaries were removed fixed and studied with steriological methods.

The results show no significant changes in body weight among various groups; while ovarian weight in experimental group III decreased significantly (p