The reproductive dysfunction effects of gasoline inhalation in albino rats

Abstract

Daily exposure to fuel vapour may pose significant health risk to exposed individuals. Fifteen each of male and female albino rats weighing between 110-230g were divided into test (10) and control (5) groups each. The test animals were exposed to inhalation gasoline for one hour daily for twenty-one consecutive days. All animals were then bled and the serum levels of the reproductive hormones determined. The results showed significant (P<0.05) reduction in the serum levels of all the hormones of reproduction in both the male and female test animals. The results suggest that inhalation gasoline exposure significantly (P<0.05) lowers the levels of reproductive hormones in albino rats and may thus interfere with reproduction.

Keywords: gasoline, wistar, hormones, reproduction

Nigerian Journal of Physiological Sciences Vol. 20(1&2) 2005: 54-57