Permethrin-induced decrease in libido and androgen levels in Albino rats

Abstract

Permethrin, a type I pyrethroid, is known to interfere with hormonal levels in some studies. It decreased testosterone levels in mice by interfering with the functional integrity of the Leydig cell (Zhang et Al, 2007). It also reportedly exhibited anti-androgen effects in male rats (Xu et Al, 2008) and exposure of rats to Permethrin decreased sperm motility and overall quality (Yuan et Al. , 2010). Effect of Permethrin on libido in rodents was earlier reported in NMRI mice (Solati, et Al, 2009 ) in which both testosterone and libido were reduced. The current study was, therefore, undertaken to test the reproductive effects of Permethrin in the male albino rat, Rattus norvegicus to gather further evidence on Permethrin effects on reproduction in rodents.