In vitro adverse effects of amitraz on semen quality: Consequences in bovine embryo development

CARRANZA-MARTÍN, ANA C. (EQUAL C); FABRA, MARIANA C. (EQUAL C); URRUTIA LUNA, NAIARA; FARNETANO, NICOLÁS A.; ANCHORDOQUY, JUAN PATRICIO; ANCHORDOQUY, JUAN MATEO; PICCO, SEBASTIÁN J.; FURNUS, CECILIA C.; NIKOLOFF, NOELIA

THERIOGENOLOGY

ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC

Año: 2023 vol. 199 p. 106 - 113

0093-691X

Veterinary drugs are potential environmental pollutants that interfere with male reproductive function. Infertility has increased, and it is known that environmental toxins contribute to declining sperm parameters. Amitraz {N,N-[(methylamino) dimeth-ylidyne] di-2,4-xylidine} (AMZ) is a formamidine pesticide widely used as an insecticide and an acaricide. The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicity of AMZ in bovine sperm. Three experiments using frozen-thawed bovine semen incubated with AMZ for 2 h were carried out. Negative and solvent (dimethyl sulfoxide) controls were run simultaneously with treatments. In experiment 1, the AMZ concentrations used were 10, 15 and 25 mg AMZ/ml and the sperm parameters evaluated were viability, mitochondrial activity, acrosomal status, functional membrane integrity and apoptosis. In experiments 2 and 3, 25 mg AMZ/ml was used to evaluate fertilizing capacity, embryo development and blastocyst DNA damage. In experiment 1, 25 mg AMZ/ml decreased sperm viability (P ¼ 0.01), reduced mitochondrial activity (P ¼ 0.03) and induced apoptosis (P < 0.01). Also, 15 and 25 mg AMZ/ml affected functional membrane integrity (P < 0.01). In experiment 2, AMZ did not alter sperm-zona binding (P ¼ 0.40) and pronucleus formation (P ¼ 0.36). In experiment 3, 25 mg AMZ/ml decreased the rate of embryo development (P < 0.01) and increased apoptosis (P ¼ 0.03). These results suggest that AMZ induced alterations in bovine sperm, probably affecting male fertility at concentrations.that could be present in the environment