Prolonged low-dose atrazine exposure in drinking water: effects on liver, testis, and spermatozoa in albino rats

Abstract

Background: Water atrazine contaminants can harm the tissues of animals at high levels, but effects of chronic low dose exposure remain unclear. This study aims to evaluate the impact of chronic low-dose atrazine exposure on the liver and testis in Wistar rats. Methods: This was a controlled in vivo experimental animal study carried out between February and May 2026 at the Small Animal Research Unit (SARU) within the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA). The experiment involving 15 male Wistar rats allocated into three parallel groups: two atrazine-exposure groups receiving atrazine at 0.013 µg/L (drinking water level) and 0.172 µg/L (river level), and control distilled water. Treatment was by gastric gavage for 120 days. Following exposure, body weights were recorded, and animals were sacrificed under ether anesthesia. The liver and testes were excised, weighed, and processed for histological examination. Spermatozoa were analyzed from caudal epididymis. Results: Exposure to 0.013 µg/L dose did not significantly affect body weight which increased at 0.172 µg/L dose. Both doses resulted in a significant reduction in liver and testicular weights. Histological analysis revealed insignificant pathological changes, with only mild central vein congestion and limited hepatocellular degeneration in the liver. Testicular tissues were largely normal, with minor germinal epithelial erosion in some seminiferous tubules. Spermatozoa parameters showed slight, statistically insignificant reductions. Conclusion: Prolonged low-dose atrazine exposure did not induce significant adverse effects, although minor tissue alterations were observed.