Acetamiprid is a neonicotinoid insecticide used worldwide. Acetamiprid is a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist, and is shown to be associated with neuromuscular and reproductive disorders^[1][2]. IC50 & Target: nAChR^[1] In Vivo: Acetamiprid decreases in body weight and mildly affected spermatogenesis. ^[1].
Acetamiprid decreases the expression of testosterone-metabolism genes, nAChR subunit genes, and proliferation-associated genes in mice^[1].
Acetamiprid disrupts subsequent testosterone biosynthesis by decreasing the rate of conversion of cholesterol to testosterone and by preventing cholesterol from entering the mitochondria within the Leydig cells. These effects caused reproductive damage to the rats^[2].