Abstract
Introduction: The aliphatic monoterpene 3, 7-dimethyl-2, 6-octadienal (Citral) is a flavour additive widely used in the cosmetic and food industries. It has been shown to have a negative impact on female fertility acting via hormone receptors. No data is available about the effects of Citral on the male reproductive system. Objective: This study was carried out to study the effects of Citral on body weight, weights of the testes, epididymis, seminal vesicles, prostate, liver and kidneys, hepatic enzyme levels, plasma testosterone level and haemoglobin concentration, red blood cell count, white blood cell count and packed cell volume. Materials and Methods: Mature male rats (n = 12) were given Citral at a dose of 300 mg/kg body weight in 1 mL of olive oil, by single intraperitoneal injection for 14 consecutive days. The control group was treated similarly with 1ml of olive oil alone. On day 15, organ weights, plasma testosterone levels, hepatic enzyme levels and haematological parameters were assessed. Results: There were no effects on the liver enzyme levels or on haematological parameters. Testicular and accessory reproductive organ weights and plasma testosterone levels were significantly reduced in the Citral treated group, compared with the controls (P Conclusion: Citral in a dose of 300mg/kg body weight in 1 ml of olive oil, by single intraperitoneal injection for 14 consecutive days in rats leads to reduction in weights of the testes, epididymis, seminal vesicles, prostate and plasma testosterone levels. doi: 10.4038/gmj.v13i1.891 Galle Medical Journal Vol.13(1) 2008 29-32
Highlights
The aliphatic monoterpene 3, 7-dimethyl-2, 6-octadienal (Citral) is a flavour additive widely used in the cosmetic and food industries
There were no effects on the liver enzyme levels or on haematological parameters
Testicular and accessory reproductive organ weights and plasma testosterone levels were significantly reduced in the Citral treated group, compared with the controls (P < L.05)
Summary
The aliphatic monoterpene 3, 7-dimethyl-2, 6-octadienal (Citral) is a flavour additive widely used in the cosmetic and food industries. It has been shown to have a negative impact on female fertility acting via hormone receptors. No data is available about the effects of Citral on the male reproductive system. The aliphatic monoterpene 3, 7-dimethyl-2, 6octadienal (Citral) is a flavour additive widely used in the cosmetic and food industries 1. Aliphatic monoterpenes are known to induce production of sterile ova in some insects 2, 3 increased embryonic loss 4, oocyte degeneration and impaired fertility in female rats 5. It has been suggested that these consequences are the result of competition between aliphatic monoterpenes and hormone receptors 6. There are no data about the effects of Citral on the male reproductive system of mammals. This study was carried out to study the effects of Citral on the male reproductive organs of rats
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