Biochemical and cytotoxic effect metribuzin herbicide on albino rats in short term of toxicity

Metribuzin considered as pre and post emergent herbicide used to remove a wide range of grass weeds. We investigate the sub-chronic cytotoxic effect of metribuzin in male albino rats that intubated orally with 0,110,220, and 440 mg/kg for three months twice per week. We founded that metribuzin containing herbicide Sencor 70% caused decrease in weight gain ratio of albino rats that was proportional with increase in dose level. Metribuzin increased liver enzymes (ALT and AST) that considered main target organ also significantly elevated LDH, urea and creatinine while decreased glucose, cholesterol, total protein and albumin level when compared to control group. The meterbuzin had histopathological changes in liver, kidney and spleen and testes. Also had significant effect on RBCs count causing normocytic normochromic anemia while showed significant increase in leukocytic count. Additionally, metribuzin induce anomalies in both head and tail of sperm that were dose dependent and significant increase in anomalies observed at 440 mg/kg. Notably, meterbuzin at dose of 440 mg/kg reduced level of il-2 expression in liver and level of globulin. While at low dose increase expression of il-2 and globulin level. On conclusion, meterbuzin at highest dose (440 mg/kg) had hepatorenal, reproductive toxicity and immunomodulation effect especially, reduction level of il-2 expression in liver.