Lambda, the pyrethroid insecticide as a mutagenic agent in both somatic and germ cells

Cytogenetic evaluations of pyrethroid insecticide cyhalothrin (lambda) were investigated in mice in vivo by recording chromosomal aberrations in bone marrow cells and in primary spermatocytes. Cyhalothrin (lambda) insecticide was orally administrated with 2, 2.5, 5 mg/kg b.wt. (1 ∕10, 1 ∕8, 1 ∕4 LD50 doses respectively) for repeated treatment. Cyhalothrin (lambda) was found to produce a significant structural and numerical chromosomal damage after subacute treatment in both bone marrow cells and primary spermatocytes. This effect was dose and time-dependent. For studying sperm abnormalities, mice were orally treated with the highest dose, 1 ∕4 LD50. Cyhalothrin (lambda) insecticide was found to induce a significant increase in the percentage of sperm abnormalities which was mainly in the head. The present study clearly indicates that Cyhalothrin (lambda) insecticide is genotoxic to the different kinds of cells analyzed. Accordingly, much more care should be taken during the use of these pesticides. [Journal of American Science. 2010;6(12):317-326]. (ISSN: 1545-1003).