The in vitro effect of Lambda-cyhalothrin on quality and antioxidant responses of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss spermatozoa

- The percentage and duration of sperm motility significantly decreased with exposure to LCT.
- MDA (P < 0.05) and GSH levels (P < 0.05) increased with increasing concentration of LCT.
- GSH-Px activity increased at the highest LCT concentration.
- CAT activity decreased with increasing concentration of LCT.

There is little information in the scientific literature about effect of in vitro exposure of fish spermatozoa to pesticides. In vitro effect of Lambda-cyhalothrin (LCT) on sperm quality and oxidative stress has not been fully explored yet. The effects of LCT, which is a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide, on quality and oxidative stress of spermatozoa were investigated in vitro due to extensively use to control a wide range of insect pests in agriculture, public health, and homes and gardens. To explore the potential in vitro toxicity of LCT, fish spermatozoa were incubated with different concentrations of LCT (0.6, 1.2 and 2.4 μg/L) for 2 h. Reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in spermatozoa were analyzed for determination of oxidant and antioxidant balance. Our results indicated that the percentage and duration of sperm motility significantly decreased with exposure to LCT. Activity of GSH-Px and MDA (P < 0.05) and GSH levels (P < 0.05) increased in a concentration-dependent manner while CAT activity decreased (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the oxidant and antioxidant status and sperm quality were affected by increasing concentrations of LCT.