author(s)
Sukhmanpreet Kaur Brar and Kuldeep Singh Khera

abstract
Profenofos is widely used, persistent and toxic organophosphorus insecticide. The present study was conducted to investigate toxic effects of profenofos on reproductive system of female albino rats. Two subchronic doses of 1/10th and 1/50th of LD₅₀ of profenofos were administered orally for six weeks. Its exposure was associated with the alterations in the serum levels of hormones and various biochemical parameters viz: the concentration of total proteins, lipids, phospholipids and cholesterol in ovary of treated rats as compared to control rats. Activity of phosphatases (ACP and AKP) was significantly reduced in treated rats. Histomorphological studies of ovary and uterus further revealed a number of abnormalities with increase in atretic follicles, enhanced percent atresia, degeneration of uterine epithelium and enlarged intracellular spaces in endometrial glands in treated rats. The results infer that the profenofos exposure leads to pathophysiological conditions in the ovary and uterus at dose dependent manner.