Role of volatile organic compounds from gloss paint, emulsion, and thinner on the testes of wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Abstract

Introduction: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in paint are considered harmful to the environment, especially for people who work with them on a regular basis. Aim: In this study, we investigated the effect of VOCs in gloss paint, emulsion, and thinner on the testes of male Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: Twenty adult Wistar rats (100–200 g) were assigned to four (4) groups (A–D) of five rats each. Groups A (thinner), B (emulsion paint), and C (gloss paint) were exposed to fumes from one coating of an improvised chamber for 1 h daily for 21 days while Group D was the control group exposed to fresh air. The rats were exposed to the test chemicals using an improvised chamber of a carton with dimensions 37 cm × 25 cm × 25 cm and had a cross-ventilation (aeration) with six triangular holes of base 4 cm with spaces approximately 1 cm apart and 2 cm on each side. The rats were usually brought out of the animal house, placed in the carton coated with their respective paints for a period of 1 h daily, and then returned to the animal house under normal standard room temperature for 21 days. The rats were sacrificed 24 h after the last exposure day, by cervical dislocation. Results: In this study, the t-test for the body weight of the animal showed no statistical significance (P > 0.05). There was a significant decrease in sperm count and motility and deranged testicular profile in the groups exposed to nitrocellulose thinner, emulsion paint, and gloss paint. The follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) values increased from those exposed to gloss paint, control thinner, and emulsion. The luteinizing hormone (LH) values increased from emulsion, control, gloss, and thinner. The testosterone (TT) values increased from gloss, emulsion, control, and thinner. Conclusion: We concluded that the exposure to VOCs present in paint has a deleterious effect on the reproductive potentials of an adult male Wistar rat.