Short-term intake of deltamethrin-contaminated fruit, even at low concentrations, induces testicular damage in fruit-eating bats (Artibeus lituratus)

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) Vol. 278; p. 130423
• Main Authors: Oliveira, Jerusa Maria de, Lima, Graziela Domingues de Almeida, Destro, Ana Luiza Fonseca, Condessa, Suellen, Zuanon, Jener Alexandre Sampaio, Freitas, Mariella Bontempo, Oliveira, Leandro Licursi de
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2021
• Subjects: Chiroptera; Insecticide; Oxidative stress; Pesticide; Reproduction; Oxidative stress; Reproduction; Insecticide; Pesticide; Chiroptera
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.130423

Deltamethrin (DTM) is a pyrethroid insecticide widely used for agricultural purposes. Exposure to DTM has proven to be harmful to humans, but whether low, environmental concentrations of this pesticide also poses a threat to wild mammals is still unknown. In Neotropical areas, bats play important roles in contributing to forest regeneration. We investigated the effects of DTM exposure on the reproductive function of male Neotropical fruit-eating bats (Artibeus lituratus), known for contributing to reforestation through seed dispersal in Neotropical Forests. Bats were assigned to 3 groups: control (fed with papaya); DTM2 (fed with papaya treated with DTM at 0.02 mg/kg) and DTM4 (fed with papaya treated with DTM at 0.04 mg/kg) for seven days. Bats from DTM2 and DTM4 groups showed increased testicular levels of nitric oxide and superoxide dismutase and catalase activities. The germinal epithelium from DTM4 bats showed non-viable cells and cell desquamation, indicating microscopic lesions and Leydig cells atrophy. Our results demonstrate the onset of cell degeneration that may affect the reproductive function in DTM exposed bats. [Display omitted] •Acute oral exposure to low concentrations of DTM cause testicular damage.•Even at low concentrations, DMT leads to a redox imbalance.•At higher concentrations, DMT leads to an occurrence of pathological changes.•DMT may affect the reproductive health of fruit-eating bats populations.