Fallopian damage induced by organophosphate insecticide methyl parathion, and protective effect of vitamins E and C on ultrastructural changes in rats

The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of subchronic methyl parathion (MP) administration on lipid peroxidation and fallopian tube damage, and to evaluate the preventive effects of the use of vitamins E and C against toxicity. The experimental groups were: rats treated with corn oil (control group), with 5 mg/kg MP and with 5 mg/kg body weight MP plus vitamins E and C (MP + Vit). The groups were given MP by oral gavage for five days a week for four weeks at a daily dose of 5 mg/kg (MP and MP + Vit) using corn oil as a vehicle. Vitamins E and C were injected at doses of 50mg/kg intramuscularly and 20 mg/kg intraperitoneally, respectively, just after the treatment with MP in the MP + Vit group. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined in rat plasma. Electron microscopic ultrastuructural and histopathological changes in the fallopian tissue were examined. MDA levels were higher in the MP group than in the control group, and lower in the MP + Vit group than in the MP group. MP led to deletions in microvilli and marked loss in kinocillia of surface epithelium. But these marked histopathological findings decreased in the MP + Vit group. Multiple doses of MP administration caused some damage in the fallopian tube, and treatment with vitamins E and C after MP could reduce this effect.