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Extensive use of organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) could alter semen quality and sperm DNA at diferent stages of
spermatogenesis. Acephate is a highly toxic extensively used OP and, therefore, we aimed to evaluate the efects of acephate on
human semen quality and sperm DNA integrity. Sperm collected from healthy males were exposed to 0, 50, 100, and 200 휇g/mL
of acephate and incubated for 1 h, 2 h, and 3 h. Subsequently, sperm motility, vitality, functional integrity of plasma membrane,
sperm capacitation, and DNA damage were examined. Result showed a signifcant decline of the motility at 100 휇g/mL afer 3 h and
with 200 휇g/mL afer 1 h, 2 h, and 3 h. Viability was signifcantly reduced at 200 휇g/mL afer 2 h and 3 h. Functional integrity was
signifcantly afected at 100 휇g/mL afer 3h and in 200 휇g/mL dose afer 2 h and 3h. Similarly, sperm capacitation was signifcantly
afected at 200 휇g/mL afer1 h, 2 h, and 3 h and at 100 휇g/mL at 3 h. DNA damage was signifcantly increased only in 200 휇g/mL dose
afer 3 h. Te study suggests that exposure to acephate may result in alterations of sperm structure and function thus contributing
towards deteriorating in human semen quality triggering infertility.
