Beta-cypermethrin exposure affects female reproduction by enhancing oxidative stress in mice uterine tissue

This study aimed to investigate the toxicity mechanism of beta-cypermethrin (beta-CYP) on fertility in female mice. Eighty female mice were randomly assigned to four groups of 20 mice each: one control group and three beta-CYP-treated groups. The control group was administered corn oil only, while the three beta-CYP-treated groups were given corn oil containing 1.38, 2.76, and 5.52 mg/kg bw.d beta-CYP for 180 days through intragastric administration. The results found that the 2.76 and 5.52 mg/kg bw.d beta-CYP significantly decreased the rate of successful pregnancy (p < 0.05). The concentrations of biomarkers related to oxidative stress were significantly elevated, while the concentrations of the endogenic enzymatic antioxidants were significantly decreased by the beta-CYP exposure (all p < 0.05). The expression levels of inflammatory-related molecules and the DNA-protein crosslink coefficient in mice uteri were significantly increased after beta-CYP exposure (all p < 0.05). The concentration of 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine was significantly increased in the 5.52 mg/kg bw.d beta-CYP group (p < 0.05). These results suggested that beta-CYP exposure significantly decreased female reproduction by enhancing oxidative stress in uterine tissue, which led to the increased inflammatory response and oxidative DNA damage in uterine tissue.