Histopathological and hormonal disrupting effects of Escravos crude oil on the ovary of Chinchilla rabbits

Abstract

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.

Effects of Crude Oil contaminated Water on the reproductive system of Female Wistar Rats

“…Although there was no change in relative weight of both ovaries and uterus, there were degenerative changes in both organs. The degenerative changes in ovary of crude oil contaminated water include; Atretic changes in the follicle with associated degenerating oocyte that agrees with findings of Okoye et al (2014). Several components of crude oil contaminated water in the form of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and heavy metals cause degenerative changes.…”

Ameliorative effects of coconut oil on the ovaries of refinery effluent intoxicated Norwegian rats

“…However, the ovary weight and morphology were not estimated in this study because the ovary of some of the rats was atrophied. However, significant weight changes in the ovary of rats exposed to Lead during pregnancy was not observed by an earlier study (Okoye et al, 2014). A 40% reduction in fertility rate had earlier been reported for rats fed with 60 mg/kg of Lead (Wiebe et al, 1988).…”

The Effects of Endocrine Disruptors on Some Vertebrates

“…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 (Figure 5-9; Ogechukwu et al, 2014). .…”

“…. Group E (30mg/kg): Ovarian section with multi-hydropic cells (four black arrows) and fibrosis (black arrow heads), HEx200 (Ogechukwu et al, 2014)…”