Asian Research Journal of Gynaecology and Obstetrics

Background: The use of air-freshener as deodorizer in Nigeria has become worrisome. Some people uses it in the office, car as well as in their homes, thereby constantly being exposed to it without consideration of its adverse effect on their health.

Aim: This study is aimed at investigating the effect of air-freshener on sperm quality and male sex hormones.

Methodology: Twenty Wistar rats were divided into two groups of ten each and kept in different rooms. Rats in group 1 were not exposed to any substance while those in group 2 were exposed to ‘sunlight’ air-freshener by inhalation for 8 hours daily for 28 days. Throughout the experiment, all animals were fed ad libitum with standard feed and drinking water. At the end of the experiment, rats were sacrificed after an overnight fast under diethyl ether as anesthesia. Blood samples were collected via cardiac puncture. The internal organs were exposed. Testes and cauda epididymis were removed and kept in sterilized watched glass. Sperm quality and sex hormones were determined using standard methods.

Results: Exposure of animals to ‘sunlight’ air freshener reduced sperm count, sperm motility and seminal pH, as well as the concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone. However, the decrease in the sperm count was not statistically significant when compared with those in control animals at P<0.05. Sperm motility and abnormality, as well as concentration of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) were significantly (P<0.05) increased when animals exposed to air-freshener were compared with those in the control group.

Conclusion: The result of this study has revealed that exposure of male rats to air-freshener adversely perturbed sperm quality and sex hormones, thus possesses the propensity to reduce fertility in men. Frequent use of air-freshener by men should be discouraged.