Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Thamar University.
2
Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Sana'a University, Republic of Yemen
3
Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Aleppo University, Republic of Syria
4
Pesticides Division, Faculty of Agriculture, Alexandria University, Chatby, Alexandria, Egypt
10.21608/jpces.2009.459543
Abstract
The present study was aimed to evaluate the effects of Qat, Catha edulis, extracts in combination with dimethoate at the dosage level of 14 mg/kg on mice reproduction. Qat extracts alone or combined with dimethoate were orally given by gavage to male mice every other day (total of 30 treatments). Seminal fluid analysis (percentage of sperm viability, percentage of sperm motility, sperm grade motility and sperm concentration) was recorded. The percentage of sperm viability, was not significantly affected by the treatment with either 2.5 or 5.0 g Qat extract / Kg body weight compared to the control. The percentage of sperm viability, percentage of sperm motility, sperm grade motility and sperm concentration were significantly (p <0.05) affected after treatment with 14 mg dimethoate /kg compared with the control. The percentage of sperm viability, percentage of sperm motility, sperm grade motility and sperm concentration were significantly (P<0.05) affected after treatment with both tested doses of water Qat extracts plus 14 mg dimethoate/kg) compared with the control. The results clearly indicate that dimethoate/Qat extracts mixture had more dramatic reduction in seminal fluid than dimethoate alone, or water Qat extracts, alone in descending order. This high risk demonstrated in Qat plants sprayed with the insecticide (e.g. dimethoate) necessitates the public awareness especially between youngsters to avoid the fatal habit of Qat chewing and also to avoid the adverse effect of chewing Qat leaves on the productivity and fertility. It is also the responsibility of the health officers, educators, the media and growers to revise their philosophy and to implement a new policy in which Qat is no longer encouraged as an acceptable social habit since it affect out health.
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