Crude oil is found in water and soil due to pollution resulting from oil exploration and exploitation. It is used as traditional medicine in some countries, especially among rural dwellers in the south-south and southeastern Nigeria. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Escravos crude oil on serum cholesterol, estradiol and progesterone in the ovary of Chinchilla rabbits. A total of thirty female Chinchilla rabbits of age twelve to fourteen weeks and weighing 1.2 to 1.45 kg were used. Crude oil was orally given at the dose of 15, 20, 25 and 30 mg/kg body weight, corresponding to groups B, C, D and E, respectively for 28 days while group A was the Control. The results showed a significant increase in serum levels of estradiol, cholesterol and ovary weight (p < 0.05) while a significant decrease in serum level of progesterone (p < 0.05) was observed. The histological findings include: ovarian cysts, fibrosis, marked lymphocytic infiltrations and hydropic cells. Therefore, Escravos crude oil could be considered as a potential endocrine disruptor which can affect the tissue architecture and the endocrine functions of the ovary.

The benefit of exploration and exploitation of crude oil to the Nigerian economy is not without its negative consequences. Apart from the indirect exposure to crude oil due to spillage, the consumption of this crude oil by the rural populace living in oil rich regions as traditional medicine for illnesses have evoked local and international concerns. The aim of this study was to investigate the histological and biochemical disrupting effects of Escravos crude on the liver and heart in Chinchilla rabbits. A total of thirty Chinchilla rabbits aged twelve to fourteen weeks and weighing 1.2 to 1.45 kg were used. Crude oil was orally given at the doses of 15, 20, 25 and 30 mg/kg body weight, corresponding to groups B, C, D and E, respectively for 28 days while group A (control) received distilled water. The result show a dose dependent significant increase in the serum concentrations of total cholesterol, creatine kinase, Creactive protein, alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase (p<0.05). The histological findings include: lymphocytic infiltration, cirrhosis, fibrosis, hemosiderin, oedema, mild tissue scaring and tissue necrosis. Thus, this result suggests that Escravos crude oil is a potential biochemical disruptor and can also affect the micro-architecture of liver and heart.