EFFECT OF ORGANOPHOSPHATE PESTICIDE MALATHION ON IN-VITRO OOCYTE MATURATION, FERTILIZATION AND EMBRYO DEVELOPMENT OF NILI RAVI BUFFALO (BUBALUS BUBALIS) Authors: F. Aziz, Z. Mehboob, S. Jalali, S. A. Shami, I. Z. Qureshi Journal: Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences (JAPS) ISSN: 1018-7081 (Print), 2309-8694 (Online) Volume: 22 Issue: 3 Pages: 147-152 Year: 2012 DOI: NA URL: https://doi.org/NA Publisher: Pakistan Agricultural Scientists Forum Abstract:

The present study evaluated in-vitro toxicity of organophosphate insecticide, malathion on nuclear maturation, fertilization and subsequent embryo development of the oocytes obtained from abattoir ovaries of Nili-Ravi Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). The cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) in culture medium were exposed to four different regimens of malathion, 1.56 µmol, 3.12 µmol, 6.25 µmol and 12.5 µmol. Results demonstrated dose dependent significant difference (P < 0.05) in nuclear competence, oocyte maturation and degeneration. Cumulus expansion showed significant increase (P < 0.05) while oocyte diameter increased non significantly (P > 0.05). The COCs that attained nuclear maturation (MII) and were subjected to IVF and, subsequent embryonic development also showed dose dependent non-significant (P > 0.05) decrease in fertilization and embryonic development, however, hatched blastocyst formation was significantly compromised (P < 0.05). The blastocyst development with inner cell mass was again non- significantly different (P > 0.05). The study concludes that malathion may effect quality of preimplantation embryos developed in-vitro from immature oocytes pre-exposed to the pesticide.

Keywords: Malathion; organophosphorous insecticides; in-vitro maturation; buffalo oocytes