Effects of selected food dyes on the reproductive system of male albino rats
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Abstract
Background: Chronic consumption of food dyes may be harmful to humans and may be a cause of infertility in men.
Objectives: The study aimed to evaluate the effects of brilliant blue, carmoisine, and tartrazine on reproductive indicators in male albino rats.
Methods: The dyes were administered individually to twenty male albino rats (four groups of five animals each) via oral gavage for 28 days.
Results: Brilliant blue showed a decrease in rapid progressive sperm cell motility (RPSC) at 250 mg/kg, none was observed for tartrazine and carmoisine. Tartrazine showed an increase in non-progressive sperm cell motility (NPSCM) at 500 mg/kg, and progressive sperm cell motility (PSCM) at 100 mg/kg was significantly different from the control at p<0.005. Tartrazine (500 mg/kg), Carmoisine (250 mg/kg) and Brilliant blue (250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg) all caused different degrees of atrophy and necrosis in the seminiferous tubules of the testes. No effect was observed for carmoisine and brilliant blue. Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) in male rats treated showed a significant decrease compared to control at a dose 100 mg/kg for tartrazine and brilliant blue. Prolactin (PRL) showed an increase from the control at 100 mg/kg for tartrazine and brilliant blue at 100 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg. Testosterone (TEST) showed significant increase from the control at 250 mg/kg for tartrazine. Luteinizing Hormone (LH) levels were found to be elevated for tartrazine at 500 mg/kg, carmoisine at 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg, and brilliant blue at 500 mg/kg.
Conclusion: These dyes were found to have deleterious effects on reproductive hormones, with some effect on sperm viability. The use of appropriate concentrations of food dyes needs to be assessed and monitored to prevent any adverse effects on human health.
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