Modulation Of Fertility Hormones Stress In Female Rats Initiated By Toxicants In Diet Prepared With Fish Smoked With Polyethylene (Plastic) Materials As Fuel Source:- Imo Chukwuebuka A

ABSTRACT ix As a result of human socio-economic activity, Industrial wastes have increased alarmingly. Plastic pollution is globally distributed across the world due to it's properties of buoyancy and durability. Two broad classes of polyethylene -related chemicals are of critical concern for human health —bisphenol-A or BPA, and additives used in the synthesis of plastics, which are known as phthalates. This study is aimed at understanding the effects polyethylene materials when used as fuel source in preparing food on fertility hormones like luiteinsing hormones, progesterone etc. Thirty five wistar rats were used and were grouped into seven groups with each group containing five wistar rats. Three groups were fed with diet prepared with fish smoked with polyethylene materials while another three were fed with diet prepared with fish smoked with firewood and one group serving as control and was fed with pellets only. The feeding was for a period of thirty days. The results showed that the fertility hormones (luteinizing hormone, progesterone, etc) levels reduced significantly in those groups fed with diet prepared with fish smoked polyethylene materials when compared with the control group and the groups fed w'ith diet prepared with fish smoked with firewood. The lipids profile apartment from high density lipoprotein were significantly improved, proving that endocrine-disrupting chemicals and lead to obesity. The good cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein) also significantly reduced. Further studies using higher mammals to elucidate the mechanisms by which these endocrine-disrupting chemicals affect fertility hormones were recommended.