Anti-spermatogenic and estrogenic effects of Escravos crude oil in Chinchilla rabbits

Abstract

This study aimed at investigating the effects of Escravos crude oil on spermatogenesis in relation to serum concentrations of estradiol and total cholesterol. A total of 30 male Chinchilla rabbits within the age range of 12 to 14 weeks and weighing 1.2 kg to 1.45 kg were used in this study. The doses of 00, 15, 20, 25 and 30 mg kg -1 body weight of Escravos crude oil were orally administered to groups A, B, C, D and E, respectively for 28 days. Serum concentrations of estradiol and total cholesterol were estimated using the microplate enzyme immunoassay and enzymatic end point methods, respectively. The SPSS software package (version 16) was used for the statistical analyses and results expressed in mean ± Standard Deviation. The results showed dose dependent significant increases in estradiol (18.32 +/-6.46 to 69.41 +/-12.89 pg/ml) and total cholesterol (1.32 +/-0.24 to 2.92 +/-0.34 mmol/l) concentrations (p<0.05), and insignificant increase (p>0.05) in the relative weight of the testis (3.80 +/-0.40 to 5.50 +/-0.90 g). The histology of the testes revealed decreased spermatogenic activity. The findings of this study suggest that Escravos crude oil could be a potential endocrine disruptor and anti-spermatogenic agent.