Effects of Some Herbal Cosmetics on Sex Hormones of Rabbits

Abstract

Heavy metals have been observed as competitor for receptor sites in hormones thereby resulting in infertility problems. Herbal cosmetics have been observed to contain heavy metals which interfere with the receptor sites of hormones. Three herbal cosmetics sold in Port-Harcourt were evaluated for heavy metals and rabbits exposed to them for 30 -90days. The aim is to determine the effect of heavy metals on the sex hormones of the rabbits. Three herbal oil namely All things natural (Emi herbal oil), Kakiva (Kakiva herbal oil) and Amal (botanical herbal oil) as well as forty –eight rabbits were purchase from a market in and animal house in Port Harcourt respectively. The rabbits were exposed to the oil for 30, 60 and 90 days and scarified for blood samples. The sex hormones of the rabbits evaluated using standard methods. Data were analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) to compare means. There were no significant differences in the sex hormones in 30days and 60days. However, there was a significantly lowered progesterone and estrogen after exposure 90days. It is therefore pertinent to conclude that herbal cosmetics contain heavy metals which may alter the sex hormones pattern which leads to luteal phase dysfunction.