Effect of Common Household Insecticides Used in Nigeria on Rat Male Reproductive Hormones

Background: The use of household insecticides for the eradication of insects especially mosquitoes in Nigeria is increasing. These insecticides are used without consideration of their adverse effect on human health.

Aim: This study was aimed at accessing the effect of common household insecticides used in Nigeria on male reproductive hormones of Wistar rats.

Methodology: Thirty male Wistar rats were divided into five groups of six each and kept in different rooms. Rats in group 1 were exposed to Rambo, those in group 2 were exposed to Mortein, those in group 3 were exposed to Raid, those in group 4 were exposed to Baygon while those in group 5 were not exposed to any insecticide and served as the control group. The exposure was done twice a day via inhalation route. Throughout the experiment, animals were fed ad libitum with standard feed and drinking water. After twenty-one days of exposure, they were sacrificed after an overnight fast under diethyl ether as anesthesia. Blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone levels were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results: Results showed that insecticides caused an increase in FSH but decrease in LH and testosterone levels significantly when compared to those in control animals at P<0.05.

Conclusion: The results indicate that prolonged exposure to common household insecticides used in Nigeria has direct effects on FSH, LH and testosterone levels and may reduce fertility in rats.