Resveratrol ameliorates malathion-induced estrus cycle disorder through attenuating the ovarian tissue oxidative stress, autophagy and apoptosis

Malathion is a high-efficiency organic phosphorus broad-spectrum insecticide which is commonly used in agricultural production, sanitation and epidemic prevention. Although the toxic effects of malathion on animal reproduction have been partially evaluated, its function, regulatory mechanism and antidote in estrus cycle and reproductive damage remain generally unclear. Here, the results showed that malathion disrupted the normal estrus cycle in mice, reduced the secretion of ovarian hormones, increased the amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and promoted autophagy and apoptosis in the ovary. Interestingly, we found that an antioxidant resveratrol could inhibit the disorders of estrus cycle and steroid hormone synthesis, reduced the abnormality of ROS accumulation, autophagy and apoptosis in malathion-exposed ovarian tissue. Furthermore, compared with those of the control group, malathion induced autophagy and apoptosis in the granular cells, whereas resveratrol attenuated these effects of malathion. Therefore, disadvantages of malathion exposure on estrus cycle disorder could partly reverse by resveratrol supplement. Overall, resveratrol may be a potential drug to prevent malathion-induced ovarian damages and estrus cycle disorder. Our findings provide new insights into ovarian response to malathion and resveratrol exposure.