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.