Preliminary investigation into the possible endocrine disrupting activity of Bonny light crude oil contaminated - diet on Wistar albino rats

Abstract

Many chemicals have recently been demonstrated to be Endocrine-disrupting compounds and may potential interfere with normal reproductive processes. In this study, we quantified the effect of Bonnylight crude oil contaminated diet on Wister albino rats. Forty-five rats (twenty male and twenty five females) were expose to Bonny –light crude oil contaminated diet at concentrations of 1%, 5% and 10%
(w/w). Throughout the experiment, we observed 20 % reduction in fecundity in the 1% experimental group but in 5% experimental group, it was observed that there was a 45% reduction in fecundity when
compared with parallel control group. However, the 10% group did not liter at all. There was a significant increase (p<0.05) in the testosterone level of male rats fed with 1% contaminated diet but the testosterone level of 5% and 10% treated group showed a significant reduction (p<0.05). The estrogen level in the female rats showed a general significant increase (p<0.05) in all the groups when compared with the female control group. This preliminary result suggest that Bonny-Light crude oil may have the potential to alter reproductive activity and hence a possible endocrine disruptor.