L.I. Medved’s Research Center of Preventive Toxicology, Food and Chemical Safety, Ministry of Health, Ukraine (State Enterprise), Kyiv, Ukraine

ABSTRACT. Aim. Studying the effect of generic pesticides cyproconazole (98 %) and two samples of epoxiconazole (epoxiconazole 1 — 95,75 % and epoxiconazole 2 — 98,7 %) on the reproductive system of male and female Wistar Han rats at the level of the organism when exposed during gametogenesis, identification and characterization of their hazard, as well as assessment of the risk of reproductive toxicity of these compounds. Materials and Methods. The test samples were administered daily (5 days a week) by oral gavage at doses of 0.2 and 2.0 mg/kg for cyproconazole and 0.5 and 2.0 mg/kg for epoxiconazoles during 11 weeks for males, and 10 weeks for females. Also, there were kept intact males and females, intended for crossover mating with experimental animals. After the end of the exposure, functional indicators of the state of the gonads and the ability of animals to reproduce offspring were studied. The duration and the frequency of each stage of the estrous cycle in female rats and the number of motile sperm, the total amount of sperm and the number of abnormal forms of germ cells of the male rats were studied. The reproductive function state in females was evaluated on day 20th of pregnancy. Thereby the number of corpora lutea in the ovaries, number of alive, dead and resorbed foetuses and embryos, the foetus weight, total weight of litters were registered. The studies were carried out in accordance with the recommendations of the Bioethics Commission and the Centre’s standard operating procedures, developed in accordance with the recommendations and requirements of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP).

Conclusions. Test substances at a maximum dose of 2.0 mg/kg of body weight have reproductive toxicity and endocrine-disruptive effect, exerting a significant antiandrogenic effect on males and antiestrogenic effect on female rats. No-observed-adverse-effect-level (NOАEL) for gonadal and reproductive toxicity for male and female Wistar Han rats were established. They are 0.2 mg/kg body weight for cyproconazole and 0.5 mg/kg body weight for epoxiconazole.

Key Words: azole fungicides, cyproconazole, epoxiconazole, reproductive toxicity, antiandrogenic and antiestrogenic effects, Wistar Han rats.

Introduction. The work was carried out within the framework of the research of the State Enterprise “Scientific Centre of Preventive Toxicology, Food and Chemical Safety named after Academician L.I. Medved of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine” on the topic “Scientific substantiation of modern regulatory requirements for the use of pesticides and agrochemicals: predicting long-term effects of action (carcinogenic, mutagenic, teratogenic activity, reproductive toxicity, chronic intoxication)”; State registration number 0108U007458.

Triazoles are the largest group of fungicides belonging to the azole class. These preparations can be used for spraying plants in the early phases of disease development or for preventive treatments. They are used against pathogens of various diseases of fruit and vegetable crops.

Triadimefon was one of the first fungicides from the triazole group that have got application in the USSR since the 1970s [1]. Fungicides of the triazole group have replaced the aging benzimidazoles and, thanks to their unique mechanism of action and a wide spectrum of activity, have become the most widely used fungicides. Difenoconazole, tebuconazole, cyproconazole and epoxiconazole are the most popular among them [2].

The fundamental mechanism of action of triazoles is inhibition of sterol biosynthesis. In many species of fungi, it exists mainly in the form of ergosterol and plays an important role in the stabilization and functioning of cell membranes, and affects the processes of cell division, stimulation of growth and sexual reproduction [3]. Different representatives of triazole derivatives affect different stages of sterol biosynthesis. As a result, the spectrum of activity of substances of this chemical class is somewhat different. For example, cyproconazole also has specific activity against rust fungi [1].

However, azole compounds play a key role not only as an antifungal agent in agriculture, but are also used for human mycoses, as well as nonsteroidal antiestrogens in the treatment of estrogen-dependent breast tumours in postmenopausal women. This widespread use of azoles is based on their universal mechanism of action for both target and non-target organisms, i.e. inhibition of certain pathways of steroidogenesis by binding with high affinity to sterol 14-alpha-demethylase enzymes and aromatase enzymes.

As it is known, sterol 14-alpha-demethylase is critical to produce sterols that activate meiosis, which modulate the development of germ cells in mammals of both sexes. Aromatase is responsible for the physiological balance of androgens and estrogens. In high doses, azole fungicides and other azole compounds affect reproductive organs, fertility, and development in many species [4].

Aim. The aim of these studies is to research the effect of pesticides cyproconazole and epoxiconazole on the reproductive system of male and female Wistar Han rats at the level of the organism when exposed during gametogenesis, to identify and characterize their hazard, and to assess the risk of reproductive toxicity of these compounds.

Materials and Methods. Research on animals was carried out in accordance with the requirements and provisions of the “European Convention for the Protection of Animals used for Experimental and Other Scientific Purposes” (Strasbourg, 03/18/1986) ETS No. 123, “Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals” (National Academies Press, USA, 2011) [5–6].

The experiment investigated generic active ingredients from different manufacturers, namely cyproconazole (cyproconazole — 98% purity) and two samples of epoxiconazole (epoxiconazole 1 — 95.75% and epoxiconazole 2 — 98.7% purity).

The experiments were carried out on male and female Wistar Han rats obtained from the SPF breeding station of the State Enterprise “Scientific Centre of Preventive Toxicology, Food and Chemical Safety named after Academician

L.I. Medved of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine” at the age of 5–6 weeks and weighing 80–100 g. The adaptation period lasted five days.

The animals were housed in a “clean” zone of a conventional barrier-type vivarium. The room was provided with forced ventilation (12 volumes per hour) with prepared air. Temperature and relative humidity were recorded daily. The lighting was artificial (12 hours light, 12 hours dark). The animals received ad libitum deionized filtered drinking water, which was disinfected by UV irradiation and purified by reverse osmosis, as well as a balanced granulated hypo-phytoestrogenic food produced by Altromin (Germany). When studying each test substance, the animals were divided into three groups of 20 males and 20 females each. The test substances were administered to experimental animals in the form of a freshly prepared aqueous emulsion daily, except Saturday and Sunday, intragastrically at doses of 0.2 mg/kg and 2.0 mg/kg of body weight (bw) for cyproconazole and 0.5 mg/kg and 2.0 mg/kg bw for epoxiconazole 1 and epoxiconazole 2. Control animals also received an equivalent amount of a solvent (distilled water with an OP-10 emulsifier) intragastrically using a probe.

In parallel with the control and experimental animals, intact males and females intended for mating were kept (10 males and 20 females for each experimental group of animals).

Each animal was assigned an individual number and marked by marking on the tail. The cage was labelled with the study number, animal numbers, sex, group number, and the dose of the test substance.

The animals were examined daily throughout the experiment to register any visible signs of reaction to the effect of the compound under study.

Test males were weighed weekly during the entire exposure period. The experimental females were weighed weekly until the mating period and at 0, 6, 13 and 20 days роst соitum.

During the last 2 weeks of the exposure period, the experimental females received daily vaginal swabs to determine the duration of the entire estrous cycle, the frequency and duration of its individual stages. Smears were also prepared from the first day of adding intact males to experimental females and experimental males to intact females to determine the moment of mating.

After finishing the exposition, the functional indicators of the state of the gonads and the ability of animals to reproduce offspring were studied. From the experimental groups, 10 males were randomly selected, which were subjected to the study of the morpho-functional state of the gonads. The number of motile spermatozoa, their total number, the number and percentage of abnormal forms of germ cells, as well as the absolute and relative weight of the testes and epididymis were evaluated. The rest of the experimental males were mated with intact females, and the experimental females were mated with intact males (in a ratio of 1 male to 2 females). Every morning during the mating period, vaginal smears were prepared for each female and examined for the presence of sperm. The day of detection of sperm in the vaginal contents of the female was taken as day 0 of pregnancy. The duration of the mating period did not exceed 3 weeks.

The state of reproductive function was considered on the 20th day of pregnancy in experimental females who became pregnant from intact males, as well as intact females mated with experimental males. At the same time, the number of corpora lutea in the ovaries, the number of live, dead and resorbed foetuses and embryos, the body weight of the foetuses, the litter weight, and the presence of gross developmental anomalies were recorded. The indices of mating, conception, fertility, pregnancy were determined, and the duration of the pre-coital interval was considered.

All data obtained in the experiment were processed statistically. Data were presented as group means (M) with standard error of the mean (m). The statistical significance of the intergroup differences (P <0.05) was assessed by the Student’s t-test.

Studies were conducted in accordance with the guidelines and requirements of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP).

Results and Discussion. None of the test substances influenced the general condition and behaviour of the animals, there were no clinical signs of intoxication, and no animal mortality was recorded.

However, cyproconazole at the maximum studied dose (2.0 mg/kg) had a general toxic effect characterized by a significant decrease in the body weight of males from the seventh to the eleventh week of the experiment (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1. Dynamics of body weight of male rats during the period of exposure to cyproconazole Note: * — Р≤0.05; ** — P≤0.03; *** — Р≤0.02 relative to control.

The data obtained on the morpho-functional parameters of the experimental male rats indicate that all the test substances under study at a dose of 2.0 mg/kg bw showed antiandrogenic effect to one degree or another. It was established a significant decrease in the total number of spermatozoa (epoxiconazole 1), in the number of motile spermatozoa (cyproconazole, epoxiconazole 1 and epoxiconazole 2), in the percentage of motile sperm (cyproconazole and epoxiconazole 1), in the absolute and relative weight of the testes (epoxiconazole 2), as well as an increase in the percentage of pathological forms of germ cells (epoxiconazole 2) (Table 1).

As can be seen from the above data, under the influence of the maximum dose of all three tested compounds, there is a tendency to a decrease in the total number of spermatozoa in the epididymis of the test males, reaching statistical significance when exposed to the epoxiconazole 1 sample. As for the sperm motility, all three substances at a dose of 2.0 mg/kg bw reduce the absolute and relative value of this indicator. The tendency to an increase in pathological forms of spermatozoa is also induced by all studied test substances, however, this tendency reaches a statistically significant value under the influence of cyproconazole. The absolute and relative weight of the testes decreases with a high degree of reliability in the group of experimental males who received the epoxiconazole 2 sample at the maximum dose, which allows to conclude that this generic has the most significant antiandrogenic effect among the tested compounds.

However, it should be noted that the detected antiandrogenic activity of this sample did not have a noticeable effect on the ability of animals of this group (2.0 mg/kg bw) to reproduce off-spring, which was judged by the reproductive parameters of the intact females that became pregnant from them (Table 2). There are trends towards a decrease in the number of live foetuses in the litter, the total weight of the litter, and an increase in the absolute and relative pre-implantation death of embryos. However, these tendencies do not reach a statistically significant level, in contrast to the results of exposure to the epoxiconazole 1 sample (2.0 mg/kg bw), which induces a significant decrease in foetus weight in intact females, and in this group, there is also a tendency to a decrease in the conception and fertility indices.

The greatest changes in male reproductive capacity are found under the influence of the maximum dose of cyproconazole. There is a significant, although statistically equivocal, decrease in the number of live foetuses in a litter (by 26.7%), a statistically significant decrease in the average weight of foetuses and the total weight of an offspring, statistically significant decrease in the indices of conception and fertility. All three test substances did not have a damaging effect on the studied parameters of males when exposed to minimal doses (0.2 mg/kg bw for cyproconazole and 0.5 mg/kg bw for epoxiconazole).

In the process of analysing the data concerning the effect of the tested compounds on the reproductive system of females, their toxic effect was also found at a dose of 2.0 mg/kg bw, but of an antiestrogenic nature.

Thus, a 2-week observation of the estrous cycle in females receiving cyproconazole at a dose of 2.0 mg/kg bw showed a statistically significant increase in the duration of the estrous cycle, and when exposed to epoxiconazole 1, an increase in the progesterone-dependent stage of dioestrus in relation to the control (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2. Estrous cycle of experimental females Note: * — Р≤0.05; ** — P≤0.01 relative to control.

Table 1

Changes in morpho-functional indicators of the state of the gonads in male rats

Notes: ¹⁾— Р≤0,05; ²⁾— Р≤0,04; ³⁾— Р≤0,03; ⁴⁾— Р≤0,01; ⁵⁾— Р≤0,004; ⁶⁾— Р≤0,0001 in relation to control

The most significant changes in the reproductive function in experimental females are observed when exposed to cyproconazole and epoxiconazole 2.

Cyproconazole induces, with a high degree of statistical significance, a decrease in the number of live foetuses in the litter, a decrease in the average weight of foetuses and the total weight of the litter, a decrease in the conception and fertility indices. There is a tendency towards an increase in pre-implantation death of embryos.

Exposure to epoxiconazole 2 also leads to a decrease in the number of live foetuses in the litter, to a decrease, albeit not statistically significant, in the average weight of foetuses and, consequently, to a significant decrease in the total weight of offspring. Pre-implantation death of embryos is statistically significant.

The results we obtained eloquently indicate the endocrine-disruptive nature of the toxic effect of cyproconazole and epoxiconazole on the reproductive system of female and male rats.

As already mentioned, azole fungicides affect the construction of cell membranes of fungi and yeast, blocking the synthesis of the main membrane component, namely ergosterol. They do this by competitively inhibiting the enzyme of lanosterol 14a-demethylase (CYP51A1), which depletes ergosterol and accumulates lanosterol and other 14-methylated sterols. As a result, the structure of the plasma membrane is disrupted and becomes more susceptible to further damage [7–9]. These changes also affect the activity of several membrane-bound enzymes, including those involved in nutrient transportation and chitin synthesis [10].

Table 2

Changes in the reproductive parameters of experimental females and intact females mated with experimental males

Notes: ¹⁾ — Р≤0,05; ²⁾ — Р≤0,03; ³⁾ — Р≤0,02; ⁴⁾ — Р≤0,01; ⁵⁾ — Р≤0,004; ⁶⁾ — Р≤0,002; ⁷⁾ — Р≤0,0004 in relation to control

It is also known that sterol 14a-demethylase plays an important role in the synthesis of cholesterol in mammals [11]. However, many azole compounds are nonspecific in binding to the haem component exclusively of CYP51, they can also inhibit many different CYPs [4,12,13] and, in particular, CYP19 (aromatase), which in the context of this communication is of particular interest considering its importance in biosynthesis of estrogen [14]. Influence on CYP19 is not limited to mammals. It has been proven that azoles inhibit the expression and / or activity of aromatase in birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish [15–20].

However, the endocrine-disruptive effect of azole compounds on the reproductive function of most species is not limited to inhibition of aromatase production. Many studies have shown that triazoles, which include both cyproconazole and epoxiconazole, are also antagonists of estrogen and androgen receptors, in addition, they also exhibit weak agonistic affinity for the aryl-carbohydrate receptor [13, 21–25].

Thus, test compounds exhibit their endocrine-mediated toxicity by acting through several mechanisms of endocrine chain disruption. Their ability to interfere with the biosynthesis of steroid hormones leads to increased production of progesterone and a decrease in the production of testosterone and oestradiol, which also indicates inhibition of enzymes involved in the conversion of progesterone to testosterone [26].

In conclusion, it should be noted that, despite a fairly extensive study of representatives of azole compounds on the reproductive system of various species of the animal world, there are no data in the available literature on the study of the effect of triazoles on the whole organism of mammals under conditions of exposure during gametogenesis. And, as our studies have shown, most of the pathological changes in the reproductive function under the influence of endocrine disruptors (violation of sexual behaviour, a decrease in the indices of conception and fertilization, a decrease in fertility, deterioration of sperm parameters, up to azoospermia, reduced viability of a fertilized egg, increased intrauterine death of embryo and foetuses of F1 generation) is due to the influence of toxic compounds during the pre-embryonic stage of gametogenesis [27].

Conclusions

1. All studied samples of triazole fungicides had a toxic effect on the reproductive system of females and males when exposed to a higher dose.

2. Analysis of the observed changes indicates the endocrine-disruptive action of the tested compounds of antiandrogenic and antiestrogenic nature.

3. In males, the processes of spermatogenesis suffer, i.e. a decrease in the total number (epoxiconazole 1) and motor activity of spermatozoa (cyproconazole, epoxiconazole 1, epoxiconazole 2), an increase in pathological forms of germ cells (cyproconazole), a decrease in the absolute and relative mass of testes (epoxiconazole 2). The ability to reproduce F1 offspring is also impaired, which was judged by the reproductive parameters of intact females who became pregnant from them, i.e. a decrease in the average weight of foetuses (cyproconazole, epoxiconazole 1), a decrease conception and fertility indices (cyproconazole).

4. In females, the normal duration of the estrous cycle (cyproconazole and epoxiconazole is disrupted, the number of live foetuses in the litter decreases, their average weight and total litter weight decrease (cyproconazole and epoxiconazole 2), pre-implantation death of embryos (epoxiconazole 2) increases, the conception and fertility indices decrease (cyproconazole).

5. Cyproconazole at the maximum studied dose (2.0 mg/kg) also had a systemic toxic effect on males, characterized by a significant decrease in body weight from the seventh to the eleventh week of the experiment.

6. In the range of doses studied, the NOAEL of the generic test substances are 0.5 mg/kg bw for epoxiconazole and 0.2 mg/kg bw for cyproconazole, which, considering the 100-fold safety factor, corresponds to the permissible daily doses of original analogues existing in Ukraine.

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Received November 16, 2020