Department of Biochemistry, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria
Department of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
Department of Medical Biochemistry, St Louis University of Health and Biomedical Sciences
Insecticide an organic chemical used in agriculture, medicine, industries and household has bio – pharmacological effects such as inducing stress, hormonal imbalance and/or physiological effects and reproductive toxicity. This study therefore investigated the possible effects of exposure to insecticides on hormonal responses in rats. Albino rats were exposed to insecticides through drinking water for continues twenty one days and the following hormone concentrations determined using standard ELISA methods; thyrotropin, total thyroid, total thyroxine, follicle stimulating, progesterone, prolactin and luteinizing. The results obtained showed that the concentration of thyrotropin, total thyroid and follicle stimulating hormones significantly decreased (p<0.05) while total thyroxine, prolactin and progesterone concentrations significantly increased (p<0.05) compared to the control. The change in the concentration of luteinizing hormone was insignificant (p>0.05) in the group of rats exposed to insecticide when compared to the unexposed group. In conclusion, the exposure of rats to insecticides resulted in adverse changes in their hormonal concentrations
hormones, hormonal changes, insecticide exposure and albino rats
