Effects of Dietary Protein-Energy Malnutrition on the Testes of Japanese Quails ( Coturnix coturnix japonica ) Exposed To Carbendazim

This study was aimed at observing the effects of protein-energy malnutrition on the morphometrical, histological and hormonal changes associated with the testicular toxicity of Carbendazim (methyl 2-benzimidazole carbamate) in the adult male Japanese quail. Carbendazim was administered at a single dose of 400 mg/kg by gastric lavage to quails fed either normal protein-energy or low protein-energy diets. The birds were monitored for eight days post-administration. Significant decreases in the relative weight of the testis (p<0.05) were observed in the Carbendazim-treated groups, irrespective of their dietary protein-energy status, compared to the Normal Protein-energy diet-Oil-treated (control) group. There were similarly significant decreases in the plasma testosterone levels (p