Abstract

Objectives: The objective of the current review was to study the male reproductive damage caused by environmental chemical contamination, especially that due to agropesticides. Methods: An experimental animal model in mice, intoxicated with organophosphorate compounds is presented. The Californian red earthworm (Eisenia foetida) was analyzed as a bioindicator of chemical contamination through evaluation of the reproductive damage produced by organophoshorates. Results: In both mice and earthworms spermatogenic damage was evidenced by a reduced sperm count, alterations in chromatin quality, and increased apoptosis of spermatogenic cells. These changes were partially reverted by adding melatonin to the treated cultures. Conclusions: The changes elicited by intoxication with organophosphorates in mice suggest impaired fertility in the mid- and long-term. The changes verified in the earthworm were valid indicators of chemical ground pollution, thus pointing to this organism as an efficient biosentinel species. Given that melatonin decreased the damage, these alterations could mainly be due to an increase in reactive oxygen species caused by the toxic activity of the pesticide.