Toxicity of commercial atrazine in rattus novergicus organs as a function of concentration: histopathological, ultrastructural and hematological evaluation

Abstract

The effect of commercial Atrazine (ATR) on Rattus Novergicus organs was determined for a concentration of cATR of 1, 3, 13, 30, and 50 ppb. ATR was dissolved in drinking water. The rats were allowed to drink from it ad libitum for an uninterrupted period of 28 days as established by the Offi ce of Environmental Protection protocol under the number EPA OPPTS 870.3050. In the 28 days of the test, data on the behavior of the medicated animals was recorded before the extraction of sample tissues (heart, liver, spleen, brain, and testicles) for histological analysis. A direct correlation of cATR and organ damage was found. The study showed that even for the smallest doses (1ppb), commercial ATR produced several lesions in the studied animals. The rats showed hepatic periacinar necrosis with acute coagulation, hepatocyte lipidosis, severe portal lymphocytic infl ammation, coronary periarteritis, and lymphocytic meningoencephalitis for high concentrations. In the male reproductive system, testicular degeneration with mild acute tubular necrosis was observed.