Dose-Dependent Estrous Cycle, Ovarian Follicles and Biochemical Contents Reversal in Albino Mice after Exposure to Mancozeb.

Mancozeb, a fungicide of a manganese-zinc ethylenebisdithio-carbamate (EBDC), was administered by gavage at doses of 200, 400, 600 and 800 mg/kg/day to female virgin mice for 30 days. The mice were autopsied on 31st day. Mice were also treated with similar doses for a period of 30 days and the treatment was withdrawn for a further period of 30 days for reversible study. The mice were autopsied on 61st day. Estrous cycle and follicles were affected in all the mancozeb treated mice when compared to the controls. There was a recovery in number and phases of estrous cycle in the mice after withdrawal of 400 and 600 mg/kg/day mancozeb, however, recovery was not seen in 800 mg/kg/day mancozeb withdrawal mice. There was a recovery in the number of follicles in the mice after withdrawal of 400 mg/kg/day mancozeb. However, complete recovery of the follicles was not seen in 600 and 800 mg/kg/day mancozeb withdrawal mice. Mice treated with 600 mg/kg/day mancozeb showed significant decrease in the levels of protein and glycogen in the ovary, glycogen and total lipids in the uterus, glycogen in the liver but there was significant increase in the total lipids of the liver. Mice treated with 800 mg/kg/day mancozeb showed significant decrease in protein and glycogen but there was significant increase in total lipids in ovary and liver , however, there was complete decrease in the levels of protein, glycogen and total lipids of the uterus. There was recovery in the levels of protein and total lipids in the ovary and liver in 600 and 800 mg/kg/day mancozeb withdrawal mice, however, recovery was not seen in the level of glycogen. There was significant decrease in the relative weight of the ovary and liver whereas spleen and thyroid weights were increased significantly with 800 mg kg/day mancozeb treatment. The recoveries in the relative weight were observed in the ovary, uterus, thymus and thyroid however, recovery in the relative weight was not seen in liver and spleen in 800 mg/kg/day mancozeb withdrawal mice. The results of the present study indicated a marked effect in the recovery of the estrous cycle, follicles and biochemical contents of the ovary, uterus and liver in mice after exposure to mancozeb with lower doses and it was dose dependent.