Fenvalerate-induced alterations in calcium homeostasis in rat ovary.

OBJECTIVE To observe the effects of fenvalerate on calcium homeostasis in rat ovary. METHODS Female Sprague-Dawley rats were orally given fenvalerate at daily doses of 0.00, 1.91, 9.55, and 31.80 mg/kg for four weeks. The ovary ultrastucture was observed by electron microscopy. Serum free calcium concentration was measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The activities of phosphorylase a in rat ovary were evaluated by the chromatometry. The total content of calmodulin in ovary was estimated by ELISA at each stage of estrous cycle. Radioimmunoassay (RIA) was used to evaluate the level of serum progesterone. RESULTS Histopathologically, damages of ovarian corpus luteum cells were observed. An increase in serum free calcium concentration was observed in rats treated with 31.80 mg/kg fenvalerate. The activities of phosphorylase a enhanced in all treated groups, and fenvalerate increased the total content of calmodulin significantly in estrus period. Serum progesterone levels declined in fenvalerate exposed rats in diestrus. CONCLUSION Fenvalerate interferes with calcium homeostasis in rat ovary. Also, the inhibitory effects of fenvalerate on serum progesterone levels may be mediated partly through calcium signals.