Abstract
Profenofos is an Organophosphorous compound and acaricide used in Egypt with cumulative toxic effects causing reproductive dysfunction and increase in reactive oxygen species production. Protective and anti-oxidant effects of selenium can improve the activity of radical scavenger. So, the aim of this study was to elucidate the protective effects of Selenium against reproductive toxicity induced by Profenofos in male and female New Zealand rabbits (n=18). Three experimental groups (3 males and 3 females per each group) receiving a combination of Profenofos (70 mg/ kg b. w.) and/or selenium in drinking water (25 mg/ kg b. w.) for 90-day was divided as follows: non treated (control), Profenofos alone and Profenofos + selenium group. Profenofos caused a decrease in body and organs weights compared to control group. It had a fetotoxic effect resulting in a significant reduction in pregnancy rate and the number of viable feti in treated animals. Also, Profenofos caused a significant elevation in ALT, AST, MDA, urea and creatinine, while a significant decrease was noticed in SOD, GSH, testosterone, estrogen and progesterone in all treated rabbits compared to control group. Concomitant administration of selenium with Profenofos alleviated the induced alterations. In addition to, histopathological results revealed that testes, epididymis, ovary and uterus alterations represented by degenerative and inflammatory changes as a result of Profenofos exposure. Profenofos had a carcinogenic effect on uterus as leiomyoma with rhabdomyosarcoma which gave positive immunoreactivity with Desmin and Smooth muscle actin. Also, Profenofos caused histopathological and histochemical effects in liver and kidney tissues. There was intensive positive immunoreactivity for caspase- 3 (dark brown granules) was observed in the cytoplasm of apoptotic testicular, ovarian and uterine cells that indicating the severity of Profenofos toxicity. On the other hand, examined tissues of Profenofos in combination with selenium treated group showed apparent reduction of caspase-3 immunoreactivity to be more or less similar to the control group. In conclusion, selenium is a valuable cytoprotective which reduced the oxidative stress toxicity induced by Profenofos in the reproductive system of male and female as well as liver and kidney albino rabbits.

Key words: Keywords: Profenofos – Histopathology- Caspase- 3 –Biochemical- Hormones- Antioxidants- Reproductive toxicity – Selenium- Liver -kidneys - Rabbits.