Assessment of Ovarian Integrity, Reproductive Hormones, and Oxidative Stress in Albino Rats Exposed to Tartrazine Azo Dye

Aim: To assess the effect of tartrazine at ADI doses on ovarian integrity (the weight and histology of the ovary), reproductive fertility hormones (luteinizing hormones (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and prolactin (PRL)) and oxidative stress markers (glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)) over a period of 30 and 60 days in albino rats.

Study Design: A total of 63 female rats weighing approximately 0.2kg were divided into two phases. In phase 1 (30 days treatment period), the rats were divided into 2 groups - designated tartrazine treated group (TTG1) consisting of 20 rats and control untreated group (CUG1) consisting of 15 rats. In phase 2 (60 days treatment period), the rats were again divided into 2 groups – tartrazine treated group (TTG2) consisting of 16 rats and control untreated group (CUG2) consisting of 12 rats. The acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 7.5mg/kg of the dye was administered orally while the control groups were given food and water only.

Methodology: At the end of the study, the animals were anaesthetized and 5 mL of whole blood samples was collected by means of cardiac puncture into plain bottles, later spun at 4000 rpm for 5 minutes to obtain serum. The laboratory analysis of LH, FSH and PRL as well as GPX and SOD activity were based on Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) Technique using rat-specific kits. Ovarian tissues collected were weighed using electronic balance, washed in normal saline, fixed in 10% formalin saline, embedded in paraffin wax, 5μm thick sections were obtained by rotary microtome, stained using Haematoxylin & Eosin and examined using digital Olympus microscopic.

Results: Non-significant higher values in the absolute weight of the ovary (WOV), FSH, LH, and PRL while non-significant lower values in GPX and SOD were observed in the treated rats against control rats over a period of 30 and 60 days at P=.05. The histological examination over a period of 30 days did not indicate any alteration but hydropic dilation and structural alterations were seen after 60 days.

Conclusion: The administration of ADI doses of tartrazine over a period of 60 days affected the integrity of the ovary mildly as observed in the histology but did not markly reflect on the biochemical markers in the plasma as well as the weight of the ovary.