HISTOLOGICAL STUDIES ON THE EFFECT OF CAR BENDAZIM ON THE TESTES OF BOARS USED FOR ARTIFICIAL-INSEMINATION

Exposure of 11 boars used for artificial insemination to 0 mg, 10 mg, 50 mg or 250 mg carbendazim (MBC) per kg body weight, daily for a 10 w eek period, resulted in dose-dependent testicular alterations. Tubular diameter, height of spermatogenic epithelium and percentage volume sh are of Tubuli seminiferi convoluti decreased, while the relative share of Leydig cells increased. These changes were significant in the 50 a nd 250 mg MBC/kg/day groups. Additionally, disorders in spermiogenesis were observed such as slack-spermatid or spermatocyte level, and, par tially, 'Sertoli only syndrome'. These alterations were accompanied by a thickened Membrana propria in the tubules and lymphocytic infiltrat ions, macrophage like cells, mast cells and edema or fibrosis of inter stitial tissue. At 10 weeks after exposure, a slight recovery but reve rsal could be observed. It is concluded that alterations caused by MBC may be irreversible.