Histopathological and biochemical changes in the liver and testes of desert gerbil, after repeated exposures of Thimet (phorate)

Intraperitoneal administration of Thimet (0.6 mg/kg) on alternate days for a period of 30 days produced various pathological and biochemical changes in the liver and testes of male gerbils. Histology of the liver showed necrosis, enlarged hepatocytes and fatty degeneration. Histological changes seen in the testes were enlarged interstitium, pyknotic spermatogenic cells, reduction in tubular size and atrophy of Leydig cells. The activities of alkaline and acid phosphatases increased in both liver and testes while that of ATPase decreased significantly. The activity of G-6-Pase decreased in liver but increased significantly in testes. Partial recovery was seen 15 days after termination of Thimet treatment. The activities of acid phosphatase, ATPase of liver and alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, and ATPase of testes did not return to their normal values up to 15 days after stopping the injections.