Abstract
Background: Chemical contaminants have been found to affect reproductive functions in mammals. This study investigated the effect of Chevron Escravos crude oil and Emulsol L.W. dispersant on the testicular functions of guinea pig.
Methods: Eight groups of seven sexually mature male guinea pigs each were given 1250, 2500, or 5000 mg/kg of crude oil and dispersant for 7 days. The fluid and food intake and body weight of the animals were measured daily throughout the study. After the exposure period, sperm quality analysis was carried out, and fructose and lactate dehydrogenase were analyzed in tissue homogenate, while testosterone and estradiol were assayed in blood. The right testis was also processed for histological analysis.
Results: The epididymal sperm number and fructose level of treated animals showed a significant dose-dependent decrease (p<0.05) compared with controls. Also, sperm motility and morphology were altered in the treated groups, while testosterone and estradiol levels were increased significantly (p<0.05) in the treated groups. Histological examination showed signs of toxicity in the treated animals.
Conclusions: From the findings, it was evident that Chevron Escravos crude oil and Emulsol L.W. oil dispersant are able to cause acute testicular toxicity in guinea pigs. The possible mechanism of toxicity is suggested to be by stimulation of hormone production from the adrenal cortex, causing a negative feedback on gonadotropin-releasing hormone in the pituitary gland to suppress spermatogenesis.
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©2013 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin Boston
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Articles in the same Issue
- Masthead
- Masthead
- Review
- Heat: not black, not white. It’s gray!!!
- Original Articles
- Distribution of performance-related gene polymorphisms (ACTN3 R577X and ACE ID) in different ethnic groups of the Indian Army
- Birth month and longevity: birth month of victims of sudden (SCD, ≤1 h) and rapid (RCD, ≤24 h) cardiac deaths
- Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated 2 (HCN2) polymorphism is associated with chronic inflammatory periodontitis. A cross-sectional study
- The effect of coadministration of α-tocopherol and ascorbic acid on arsenic trioxide-induced testicular toxicity in adult rats
- Effect of acute immobilization stress with or without a heme oxygenase inducer on testicular structure and function in male albino rats
- Effect of Jobelyn® on intruder- and isolation-induced aggressive behavior in mice
- Dichloroacetate at therapeutic concentration alters glucose metabolism and induces regulatory T-cell differentiation in alloreactive human lymphocytes
- Antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antiulcerogenic activities of ethanol root extract of Strophanthus hispidus DC (Apocynaceae)
- Acrolein-induced inflammatory signaling in vascular smooth muscle cells requires activation of serum response factor (SRF) and NFκB
- Nephroprotective activity of Cocculus hirsutus leaf extract in 5/6 nephrectomized rat model
- Toxicological evaluations of methanolic extract of Moringa oleifera leaves in liver and kidney of male Wistar rats
- Nevirapine induces testicular toxicity in Wistar rats: reversal effect of kolaviron (biflavonoid from Garcinia kola seeds)
- Toxicity of Chevron Escravos crude oil and chemical dispersant on guinea pig testicular function
- Jobelyn® pretreatment ameliorates symptoms of psychosis in experimental models