A. Project Details

• A1. Project Title: DBT-NER Advance –Level Institutional Biotech Hub at Chaidur College, Biswanath, Assam (Phase-II)
        Research Title: Effect of pesticides
  
  
• A2. DBT Sanction Order No. & Date:
        Letter No. : BT/NER/143/SP44407/2021
        Date : 01/02/2023
  
  
• A3. Name of Principal Investigator: Dr. Raju Ojah
        Name of Co-PI/Co-Investigator: Dr. Muhini Mohan Borah, Dr. Sushanta Borah
        Research Scholars:
        a) Project Associate : Ranjit Kakati
        b) Laboratory Assistant : Aziz Hussain
  
• A4. Institute: Chaiduar College
  
  
• A5. Address with Contact Nos. (Landline & Mobile) & Email:
        Landline: 03715-291058
        Mobile:8638537756
        Email: biotechcdc23@gmail.com, chaiduarcollege@gmail.com.
  
  
  
• A6. Total Cost: 57,52,175.00
  
  
• A4. Duration: 3 Years
  
  

B. Summary of the project

Modern lifestyles expose humans to a variety of toxic chemicals in the air, food, water, and environment. Research shows that pesticide residues are a significant cause of male reproductive abnormalities, such as reduced sperm motility. The decline in sperm counts over recent decades is linked to chemical exposure, including pesticides like acetamiprid, chlorpyrifos, and others that affect sperm production and motility. Globally, male infertility rates have reached 7%, with India using a significant amount of pesticides in agriculture, where male workers are often exposed without proper precautions. In Assam, particularly among tea workers in Lakhimpur district, chronic and acute pesticide poisoning is common. Despite the extensive use of pesticides in Assam's tea gardens, especially in Biswanath district, there has been no scientific evaluation of their effects on male reproductive health. This research aims to investigate the impact of tea pesticides on male fertility using albino mice. The objectives include analyzing pesticide residues in tea leaves, studying their effects on male germ cells, testicular histoarchitecture, and protein expression, as well as assessing toxic and genotoxic impacts. Additionally, the research seeks to raise awareness about the harmful effects of pesticides and encourage organic farming practices. The outcomes will provide experimental validation of these effects and promote awareness of the adverse impacts on human reproductive health.

Background for the Project (including rationale of the project):
Biswanath district, home to many tea gardens, including Asia's largest, Monabari Tea Estate, has a long history of employing tea tribes since the 1950s. A pilot survey in the district's tea gardens revealed extensive pesticide use and significant health issues among workers, including infertility and congenital disorders in children. This suggests possible effects of endocrine disruptors. Based on these findings, the current research is designed to investigate the effects of pesticide- contaminated tea leaves on the male reproductive system in albino mice. The results will provide valuable insights into the hazardous effects of pesticides on reproductive health, a global concern, and validate the impact of pesticide-laden tea on human health. It is hypothesized that such tea may alter testicular histoarchitecture, compromising fertility, and causing genotoxicity in male albino mice.