Chlorpyrifos (CPF) can induce ovarian damage and reproductive dysfunction
through oxidative stress mechanisms. These can be reversed by antioxidants such as
Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) in green tea. This study aimed to investigate the
toxicity effects of CPF on rat ovaries and the effectiveness of EGCG to protect
against these effects. Fifty adult female albino rats were randomly assigned to five
equal groups; negative and positive control groups, EGCG-treated group, CPFtreated group and CPF+EGCG-treated group. After four weeks the rat body weight
and relative ovarian weight were estimated, and blood samples were collected to
assess reproductive hormones (RHs) levels. Evaluation of ovarian oxidative stress
indicators malondialdhyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), superoxide dismutase (SOD),
reduced glutathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT) was performed. Ovarian sections
were prepared and examined using the hematoxylin and eosin stain, proliferating cell
nuclear antigen, and morphometric study to assess histopathologic changes. CPFtreated rats had significant lower body weight and relative ovarian weight compared
to controls (P