Hematological, biochemical, and hormonal effects of organochlorine pesticide residues found in canal and tap waters on albino white rats

Analysis of water from the canal that feeds the Damanhour water station and tap water in Damanhour, Beheira Governorate, Egypt, revealed the presence of gamma-HCH, beta-HCH, heptachlor epoxide, p, p D.D.E., dieldrin, endrin aldehyde, endosulfan sulfate, and endrin ketone. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the adverse effects of administration of the OCl pesticide residues found in canal water (0.0448 µg/ kg b. wt.) and tap water (0.022 µg/ kg b. wt.) to white Albino rats. Results revealed that treatment of male and female rats with a single oral dose of OCl pesticide residues found in both canal and tap water caused slight alteration in Hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cells (RBC) in male rats, and packed cell volume (PCV) in male and female treated rats relative to control. There was a significant increase in Hb, a decrease in RBC counts in treated female rats, and a significant decrease in WBC count in both male and female rats. There was a slight alteration in GOT, GPT, and G.GT activity in both male and female rats and a significant increase in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in male rats. Compared to controls, treated rats had substantial increases in uric acid and albumin concentrations and a slight alteration in total protein concentration in the serum. Administration of OCl residues to rats caused no significant effect on male or female progesterone. It caused a significant increase in testosterone concentration in treated female rats and a decrease in the serum of male rats. Compared to controls, treated male rats had slightly lower follicle stimulation hormone (FSH) levels, and treated female rats had higher levels. Also, no significant difference was observed in T4 levels between the control and treated females in treated rats. However, the T4 level increased significantly in the males administered the high O.C.s found in canal water. T3 levels decreased in the serum of male and female rats, but T3 was significantly reduced in male rats given an oral dose of OCl residues in canal water. Unlike their effects on T3 levels, the impact of OCl residues on T4 levels in this study was inconsistent in treated rats. Conclusions: Administration of a single oral dose of OCl pesticide residues found in both canal and tap water to rats caused significant and non-significant alteration in some hematological, biochemical, and hormonal biomarkers in the serum of treated rats compared to control.