Exposure to allethrin-based mosquito coil smoke during gestation and postnatal development affects reproductive function in male offspring of rat

Abstract

The threat of zika virus looms throughout the world and the use of allethrin-based mosquito coils to prevent mosquito bites during and postpregnancy is on the rise. The aim of this study was to analyze the toxic effects of exposure to allethrin-based mosquito coil smoke in rats under conditions that reflect human settings. Pregnant female rats were exposed to mosquito coil smoke and same was continued to the male pups up to 111 days postparturition (21-day weaning plus up to 90 days postweaning). Increased oxidative stress, distorted antioxidant enzyme status, downregulation of genes involved in spermatogenesis, sperm maturation and steroidogenesis was observed. Daily sperm production, total sperm count and acrosome reaction was compromised. Results of our study indicate the toxic effects of exposure to allethrin-based mosquito coil smoke in male offspring and calls for preventing mosquito coil use during pregnancy and postnatal development. Community-based programs that will encourage general population to use classical methods such as use of mosquito nets, keeping the surroundings clean and use of natural mosquito repellents should be conducted.

Keywords:

• Allethrin
• mosquito coils
• spermatogenesis
• acrosome reaction
• antioxidants
• oxidative stress

Acknowledgements

We thank the facilities extended by UGC-SAP, UGC-CAS, DBT-CREBB and FIST programs at School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

GB received a fellowship from University Grants Commission and Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Government of India.