ANTIOXIDANT VERSUS ENDOCRINE EFFECTS OF AVOCADO OIL IN BUTYLPARABEN-INDUCED OVARIAN DAMAGE OF PRE-PUBERTAL RATS

Background: Butylparaben is used as preservative in cosmetics. Being structurally similar to estrogens, chronic exposure in consumers causes oxidative stress, ovarian damage and endocrine disruption. By adding avocado oil to diet, which has antioxidant as well as endocrine effects, this mitigation can be ameliorated to a great extent. Objective: To observe the ovarian histopathologic damage & endocrine disruption by butylparaben and whether such hazardous effects can be ameliorated by avocado oil, the antioxidant effects of which are to be compared with its endocrine effects. Method: Thirty pre-pubertal female rats were divided into 6 groups of five rats each: A-Control, B-butylparaben exposed (dose: 10% of LD50-4.6 mg/kg b.w.), C-butylparaben exposed (dose: 40% of LD50-18.4 mg/kg b.w.), D-butylparaben exposed (10% of LD50-4.6 mg/kg b.w.) + avocado oil (dose: 4 mL/kg b.w.), E-butylparaben exposed (dose: 40% of LD50-18.4 mg/kg b.w.) + avocado oil (dose: 4 mL/kg b.w.) and F- avocado oil (dose: 4 mL/kg b.w.). Rats were sacrificed on day 31, ovarian tissue for histopathology & blood for hormonal assays taken. Results: BP exposure enhanced estrogenic activity in group B & C due to which the ovaries showed a decreased number of primary, secondary follicles, corpus luteum; and greater number of atretic follicles. Percentage weight gain was low, with high gonadal weight and GSI. FSH and LH levels were raised while E2 levels were low. On adding avocado oil, there was an increase in the number of secondary and tertiary follicle, weight gain increased and hormonal levels were comparable with control group. Conclusion: Results confirm the potential ovarian histopathological damage and endocrine disruption by butylparaben, ameliorated by avocado oil, the antioxidant effects of which surpass its endocrine effects.