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TITLE:

ORGANOCHLORINATED COMPOUND AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF UBURU SALT LAKE AND ITS POSSIBLE EFFECTS ON MALE REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTIONS

AUTHORS:

Ogbanshi M.E*., Nwali, B.U., Ugwu Okechukwu P.C. and Ezeani N. N.

ABSTRACT:

Water and salt samples from Uburu salt lakes have been reported to elicit various degrees of toxicity. Reproductive toxicity of samples from the lakes were studied in the present research. The quantity of selected persistent organic pollutants in these lakes includes polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorinated pesticides (OCPs) were assessed using gas chromatographic and mass spectroscopic equipment. Heavy metals were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. 85 male bred Sprague-Dawley Rats weighing 170-200g obtained from Manchester school of veterinary institute were used in the study. The animals were housed in a centralized animal care facility maintained at 22 to 25oC with a relative humidity of 76 ± 5%. The levels of Cd, Cr, Mn, Pb, Mg and Ni found in the lakes samples were significantly (p<0.05) higher in concentration than the WHO permissible limits for drinking water. Ten of the WHO priorities PAHs were detected. The concentration of individual PAHs ranged from 0.02-0.24mg/L. Five OCPs was detected and no PCBs were detected. Concentrations of the detected OCPs and PAHs were higher than the WHO toxic limits for drinking water. The concentration of most of these contaminants were significantly lower (p<0.05) in the salt samples relative to the lakes water. These lakes samples lower significantly (P<0.05) the testicular body weights ratio, body weight and organ weights in administered rats. Testicular levels of sialic acid and testosterone were all reduced significantly (p<0.05). The levels of luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormones in testes decreased insignificantly (p>0.05) in the groups administered with water from Uburu salt lakes. The levels of antioxidant markers:- catalase, superoxide dismutase and reduced glutathione were lowered significantly (p<0.05) in the treated group while the testicular lipid peroxidation marker (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) was significantly increased (p>0.05). Photomicrograph of testes of the treated rats showed severe degenerative changes on the spermatogenic cells and atrophy of the testes unlike the control. These effects were found to be dose- dependent to the dose administered. Theresults are indicative of the toxicity of these lakes to the reproductive systems with raw water samples being more toxic than the loc-ally processed salt samples.

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