Effects of quercetin in male rats’ testis after consumption of permethrin: a transmission electron microscopy (TEM) study

Permethrin, a widely used pyrethroid insecticide, impairs male reproductive function through oxidative stress and endocrine disruption. This study evaluated the protective effects of quercetin against permethrin-induced testicular toxicity in adult male Wistar rats. Thirty rats were divided into five groups (n = 6): control, DMSO vehicle, permethrin (35 mg/kg/day orally), permethrin + quercetin (15 mg/kg/day orally), and quercetin alone, for 60 days. Permethrin exposure induced severe ultrastructural damage including mitochondrial swelling, nuclear chromatin condensation, and Sertoli cell detachment from the basement membrane-along with seminiferous tubule disorganization, reduced sperm motility and viability, increased sperm morphological abnormalities, and suppressed serum testosterone, FSH, and LH levels. Co-administration of quercetin significantly attenuated these adverse effects, preserving testicular cellular integrity, improving sperm quality, and partially restoring gonadotropin and testosterone levels. These findings demonstrate that quercetin exerts multifaceted protection against permethrin-induced testicular injury at hormonal, functional, histological, and ultrastructural levels, highlighting its potential as a protective agent in mitigating pesticide-associated male reproductive dysfunction.