Journal of Environmental Biology

Effect of methomyl formulation, a carbamate pesticide on ovarian follicular development and fertility in albino mice

Author Details

A. Shanthalatha

Department of Zoology, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysore - 570 006, India

B.N. Madhuranath

Department of Zoology, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysore - 570 006, India

H.N. Yajurvedi

(Corresponding author)

Department of Zoology, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysore - 570 006, India

e-mail: hnyajurvedi@rediffmail.com

Publication Data

Paper received:

14 May 2010

Revised received:

02 December 2010

Re-revised received:

23 December 2010

Accepted:

08 January 2011

Abstract

Administration of 5 mg methomyl (40%) kg^-1 b.wt. mouse^-1 (equal to 50% of LD₅₀ dose), every day for 90 days to adult female mice resulted in a significant decrease in body weight, relative weight of the ovary, uterus and fallopian tube; mean number of small, preantral, antral and pre-ovulatory follicles and fertility compared to controls. On the other hand, total duration of the estrous cycle was significantly increased compared to controls. One month after the cessation of the treatment (a commercial methomyl preparation-lannate) the effect on estrous cycle and organ weight was not restored. Treatment of 2.5 mg or 1 mg lannate kg^{-1? b}. wt., although did not alter duration of the estrous cycle; relative weight of the ovary, uterus, and fallopian tube and fertility, caused a significant decrease in mean number of small follicles compared to controls. All the groups of mice treated with lannate showed loss in body weight (15.15% in 1 mg, 6.61% in 2 mg and 12.16% in 5 mg treated groups) whereas controls showed a gain in body weight (20.02%) during the period of experimentation. The results indicate that 5 mg lannate kg^-1 b. wt. causes loss of follicles and infertility, whereas lower dosages (2.5 and 1 mg) reduce the number of small follicles which might shorten reproductive life span of mice.

Key words

Carbamate pesticide, Fertility, Follicular development, Lannate, Methomyl, Mice

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