Abstrakt

Ultra Structural Changes in the Male Reproductive Organ of Eisenia foetida after Treatment with an Organophosphorus Pesticide

K. Bansiwal, N. Rai

Malathion is an organophosphate insecticide and used as a test chemical to assess its toxicity for male reproductive organ of Eisenia foetida. Worms exposed to high dose (12000mg/Kg soil of 5 percent Malathion) for 96 hours showed significant changes in ultra structure of male organ of E. foetida. These changes include vacouliged cytophore and spermatids, deshaped mid piece of spermatid. It is suggested that Malathion at 12000mg/Kg soil for 96 hours has caused deformities at ultra structure level in male reproductive organ of E. foetida that will ultimately lower the reproductive rate of E. Foetida. Thus it can be said that Malathion is not only a neurotoxin agent but also a cytotoxic agent that also affects the other organs apart from nervous system.