Spermatotoxicity in Animal Models Exposed to Fragrance Components

Various commonly-used products have been reported to contain chemicals that could disrupt estrogen and testosterone hormone. As trade secrets, these chemicals are generally listed as fragrance to mask individual identity. In this study, the reproductive implications of two commonly used perfumes (designated as F1 and F2) in Nigeria were carried out. Sixty adult male wistar rats (12-13 weeks old) were randomly divided into four groups (A-F) of ten rats each. Group A and B rats were exposed to 5 mL kg-1 b.wt. of normal saline for 56 days and 112 days, respectively via whole body inhalation. Group C and D rats were exposed to 5 mL kg-1 b.wt. of a fragrance product designated as F1 for a period of 56 days and 112 days, respectively while Group E and Group F rats were exposed to 5 mL kg-1 b.wt. of a designated fragrance product F2 for a period of 56 days and 112 days, respectively. The results obtained from this study showed a significant (p 0.005) when compared to values of the control group A and B. Based on the spermiographic evaluation from this study, fragrance materials could have an adverse effect on spermatozoa of the intact male wistar rats.