Reproductive Toxicity & Biomarker Response to a Daily Dose of Toothpaste in Male Albino Rats

This study was carried out to evaluate the biomarker response of male albino wistar rats (Rattus novergicus) to a daily dose of toothpaste. Twenty four wistar rats were divided randomly into two groups and housed in wooden cages. The first group which is the test group was administered in varying doses (250 ul, 270 ul, 300 ul) according to their body weight (0.00167 mg/g body weight) per week for three weeks while on the fourth week no treatment was administered. This was done to observe the rate of recuperation from the effects of treatment. The second group which was the control group were given distilled water of equal measurement with the treatment given to the test rats. Selected biochemical and hematologic parameters were used to evaluate the effect of toothpaste. Parameters used for liver functions were; alkaline aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and protein, for kidney: sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), chloride (Cl) and bicarbonate (HCO3), while for hematology: white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC), platelets, lymphocytes, haemoglobin, packed cell volume (PCV). Sperm counts were also evaluated. The results showed significant differences (P< 0.05) in most parameters evaluated when compared with the control group. Our findings also demonstrates that toothpaste caused a detrimental effect on sperm count which could lead to infertility in males. There were also observed changes in liver, blood parameters and kidney which could lead to renal dysfunction when exposed to this substance for extended periods.