Methoxychlor induced biochemical alterations and disruption of spermatogenesis in adult rats

•The effect of methoxychlor on spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis was examined.•Testes weight, sperm count, motility were decreased, steroidogenesis were inhibited.•Epididymal α-glucosidase activity was decreased.•Activities of ACP, ALP and LDH were increased while SDH activity was decreased.•Testicular caspase-3 activity was increased.

Adult male albino rats were treated orally with methoxychlor at doses of 0, 50, 100 or 200 mg/kg/day for 15 consecutive days. Testicular weight, sperm count and motility were significantly decreased. Methoxychlor at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg significantly inhibited α-glucosidase activity, while plasma testosterone was significantly decrease by the three dose levels in a dose-related pattern. Testicular activities of 3β-HSD, 17β-HSD, SDH were significantly decreased, while ACP, ALP (except for 50 mg/kg), and LDH were significantly increased. H2O2 production and LPO were significantly increased while the enzymic (SOD, CAT and GPx) and non-enzymic antioxidants (thiol content) were significantly decreased. Caspase-3 activity was significantly increased in a dose related manner. The findings of this study indicate that methoxychlor induces oxidative stress associated with impairment of spermatogenesis, in addition to apoptosis. These data provide insight into the mode of action of methoxychlor-induced toxicity in the rat testis.