Evaluation of the reproductive toxicity of patulin in growing male rats

Patulin is a mycotoxin produced by several Penicillium, Aspergillus and Byssachlamys species. Patulin can be produced on different food products including fruits, grains, cheese, cured meats, but in natural situations patulin is exclusively found in apple and apple products. Patulin, at dose of 0.1 mg/kg bw/day, was administered by gavage to the growing male rats aged 5–6 week for 60 or 90 days. At the end of the experiment, sperm counts and morphology were investigated. Also, effects of patulin on the epididymis, seminal vesicle and prostate tissues were examined histopathologically and morphologically.

While sperm counts increased in patulin-treated rats for 60 days, sperm counts in patulin-treated rats for 90 days decreased compared to the corresponding control group. Patulin affected sperm morphology of growing male rats. Tail abnormalities like bent and/or coiled tails, and sticking of sperm tails were observed. A significant change was not determined in absolute and relative weights of the seminal vesicle and prostate of patulin-treated rats. While absolute cauda epididymal weights increased in rats treated with patulin for 60 days, absolute and relative cauda epididymal weights reduced in rats treated with patulin for 90 days. In histologic examination, some histopathological changes were observed in the epididymis and prostate tissues of rats in patulin treatment groups.