Reproductive toxicity of quinalphos on female albino rats: Effects on ovary and uterus

Quinalphos is a toxic organophosphate pesticide having a wide applicability to control pests in a number of vegetable crops like ladyfinger, brinjal, cauliflower etc. due to its good penetrative properties and long residual action in animals. The present investigation was carried out to determine its toxic effects on reproduction in the female albino rats. Technical quinalphos (2 mg/kg body weight) was administered orally to female albino rats for 15 and 30 days respectively. The weight of ovary decreased significantly in 30 day treated group. In the same group the corpus luteum also decreased significantly. The histologic observations of the ovary revealed the presence of less number of healthy follicles and more number of atretic follicles. There was a non significant decrease in the surface follicles and corpus luteum of treated rats. Gross morphology of uterus had shown significant increase in epithelial cell height and changes in lumen length even. There was a decline in the number of uterine glands with decreased thickness of myometrium. Hence quinalphos at dose concentration of 2mg/kg body weight is toxic for female reproduction.