Nigerian bonny light crude oil induces irreversible reproductive toxicity in adult male rats

Abstract

Background: The reversibility of reproductive toxicity induced by the Nigerian Bonny light crude oil (BLCO) was investigated in rats. Method: Adult male Wistar rats were orally treated with BLCO at 0, 50, 100 and 200mg kg for 21days. One-half of the rats were sacrificed on day 22 while the remaining one-half stayed additional 21 days without treatment. Results: While sperm quality was compromised in dose-dependent manner, testis histopathology was only evident at 200mg kg 1 after 21days. BLCO significantly decreased activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase but markedly elevated gamma glutamyl transferase and glutathione S-transferase activities as well as malondialdehyde. hydrogen peroxide and glutathione levels in both testes and sperm. Most of the above-mentioned parameters were consistent in animals from withdrawal experiment. Conclusion: Taken together, BLCO exposure impaired fertility via increased oxidative stress and was not reversible upon withdrawal of treatment within the time course of investigation in male rats. BLCO exposure poses a risk for impaired fertility and its contribution to infertility in the Nigerian male population may not be excluded.