Accumulation of Mercury in Ovaries of Mice After the Application of Skin-lightening Creams

Abstract

Skin-lightening creams are being increasingly used by women in particular, worldwide in an attempt to whiten their skin. Men and older people use these creams to remove age spots or other pigmentation disorders. Several studies have reported the presence of high mercury levels in skin-lightening cream. Women, especially pregnant and nursing mothers, who use these creams are at risk of mercury toxicity because long-term exposure can cause permanent neurological damage, nephrological disorders, fertility problems, and birth defects. Early exposure usually has no clinical symptoms. Mercury levels were measured in a total of 49 ovary tissue samples. The mean mercury contents in the ovaries of non-treated mice (11.70 +/- 13.38 ng/g) were compared to mice treated with Rose skin-lightening cream samples (2,471.92 +/- 1,336.31 ng/g) and those treated with Fair & Lovely skin-lightening creams (58.47 +/- 39.51 ng/g). The mercury content in the ovary tissues increased with number of cream applications and were highest in the ovaries of mice treated twice a day with Fair & Lovely (87.79 +/- 26.20 ng/g) and once a day with Rose (3,515.61 +/- 1,099.78 ng/g). Our data indicate that dermal exposure to mercury can result in a significant accumulation in the ovaries of mice following the application of skin-lightening cream. This may cause alterations in reproductive behavior and contribute to infertility or ovarian failure. Of course, these results need to be confirmed by further research. Imported or locally made skin-lightening creams are widely available in Saudi market. It would be ideal to ban the sale of these creams but unfortunately, advertisements in the mass media presenting celebrities and beauty specialists make these products more popular. Alternatively, public health authorities should encourage more reliance on prescribed creams for the treatment of skin pigmentation problems.

Ultrastructural Interactions and Genotoxicity Assay of Cerium Dioxide Nanoparticles on Mouse Oocytes

“…Moreover, oocytes exposed at earlier stages of maturation, with no or immature ZP and fewer follicular cells, could be more vulnerable to DNA damage induced by C e O 2 ENPs. Given the impact demonstrated by the C e O 2 ENPs on the reproduction of the aquatic organisms [23,24] and the hypothesis of a possible bioaccumulation in ovary [33], we plan to study interactions between C e O 2 ENPs and oocytes. In vitro studies will help us to determine the mechanisms of ENP interactions under controlled conditions that represent in vivo situations.…”

“…For example, mercury can accumulate after application of skin-lightening creams [33]. However, the biodistribution of ENPs in ovaries is unknown [34,35].…”

Exposure to endocrine disruptors during adulthood: consequences for female fertility

“…One study reported that exposure to sodium arsenite (0.4 ppm) via drinking water decreased ovarian weight and healthy follicle numbers and increased atresia in rats (Chattopadhyay and Ghosh 2010). Another study showed that dermal exposure to creams that contain high Hg levels caused significant accumulation of Hg in mouse ovaries (87.79 ± 26.20 ng/g and 3,515.61 ± 1,099.78 ng/g), which could alter reproductive outcomes (Al-Saleh et al 2009). …”

Effects of light and heavy metals on Cordyceps militaris fruit body growth in rice grain-based cultivation

“…However, sporadic incidences of Cd and Hg contamination (over 0.5 ppm and 0.05 ppm, respectively) have been reported in particular parts of Taiwan farmland owing to the industrial waste mismanagement [32]. The bulk of literature also warns against the cumulative effects of prolonged heavy metal exposure; regular consumption of rice by local populations might pose potential health problems [1][2][3].…”

“…Heavy metal contamination in soils and plants at polluted sites including heavy industries, metal mining, smelting, and untreated wastewater irrigation areas is commonly found in developing countries [1][2][3]. These heavy metals accumulate mostly in waters and soils, and their action is long-lasting.…”