EFFECT OF NATURAL AND SYNTHETIC FOOD COLORANTS ON SPERMATOGENESIS AND THE EXPRESSION OF ITS CONTROLLING GENES

The use of food additives is controversial. However, data regarding their effects on fertility genes are still very sparse. The present study was designed to assess the effects of two coloring agents, carmoisine (synthetic) and curcumin (natural) on the expression of some genes with fertility impact. Sixty three male Sprague-Dawley albino rats were orally administered carmoisine and curcumin in three doses, acceptable daily intake (ADI), 5x- and 10x- ADI for 15, 30, and 45 days. Sperm analysis and testicular expression level of biomarkers Testin, Glial cell derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), tyrosine kinase receptor (c-KIT), follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR), A kinase anchor protein 3 (PRKA3), spermatogenesis associated 7 (Spata7), Stage-specific embryonic antigen-1 (SSEA1) genes were measured and supported with histopathological studies on rat testes tissues. The recorded results revealed significant down regulation of the tested genes in rats supplemented with carmoisine in time and dose dependent manner. However, these declines were also observed after treatment with medium and high doses of curcumin. Sperm counts were significantly decreased after carmiosine treatment in a dose dependent manner, it was 74.6±6.36, 74.00±6.63, 49.00±0.28 and 147.00±3.2 for ADI, 5xADI, 10xADI and control group respectively, without any changes after curcumin treatment. Also, histopathological studies indicated deleterious effect with medium and high doses of carmiosine. In Conclusion, carmoisine induced hazardous effects on fertility at different levels when consumed in concentrations higher than the acceptable daily-authorized level (50 mg/kg b.wt). However, curcumin as a natural food color is saver than carmoisine up to certain levels. Key words: carmoisine; curcumin; spermatogenesis genes; rat testis