Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are persistent organic pollutants that contribute to endocrine/gonadal disruption. This study was designed to investigate the endocrine modulating role of pheromones in alleviating the reproductive toxic effects of 3-MC (3-methylcholanthrene), one of the common PAHs, in rat model. The rats were injected intraperitoneally with 3-MC at a dose of 25 mg kg(-1) BW. The serum levels of testosterone and other biochemical parameters were altered to significant levels in 3-MC-treated rats and oestrus-specific urine exposure restored all these effects to near normal. Although testis weight did not indicate any significant change, sperm and spermatid counts were significantly reduced in 3-MC-treated rats, which became normal in oestrus-urine-exposed rats. Hence, this study suggests that oestrus-specific urinary pheromones have the potential to modulate the endocrine system and alleviate the male reproductive toxic effects produced by 3-MC.
Keywords: 3-Methylcholanthrene; endocrine disruptors; oestrus-specific urine; pheromones; testosterone.
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