Many chemicals have recently been demonstrated to be
Endocrine-disrupting compounds and may potential interfere with normal
reproductive processes. In this study, we quantified the effect of
Bonny-light crude oil contaminated diet on Wister albino rats.
Forty-five rats (twenty male and twenty five females) were expose to
Bonny –light crude oil contaminated diet at concentrations of 1%,
5% and 10% (w/w). Throughout the experiment, we observed 20 % reduction
in fecundity in the 1% experimental group but in 5% experimental group,
it was observed that there was a 45% reduction in fecundity when
compared with parallel control group. However, the 10% group did not
liter at all. There was a significant increase (p<0.05) in the
testosterone level of male rats fed with 1% contaminated diet but the
testosterone level of 5% and 10% treated group showed a significant
reduction (p<0.05). The estrogen level in the female rats showed a
general significant increase (p<0.05) in all the groups when
compared with the female control group. This preliminary result suggest
that Bonny-Light crude oil may have the potential to alter reproductive
activity and hence a possible endocrine disruptor