Background: Studies have shown that exposure to oil paints and chemicals can lead to physiological disorders. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of inhalation of oil paint vapors on the serum levels of male steroid hormones.
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 15 adult male Wistar rats, weighing 200 to 225 g, were randomly allocated into three groups (n=5 for each group) including a control group (no treatment) and two experimental groups (which received paint vapor for 1 h and 8 hs per day). After 10 weeks, blood samples were taken from rats’ hearts. Serum levels of hormones were measured using the radio immunoassay method. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and a least significant difference follow-up test.
Results: Serum levels of DHEAS, LH, and FSH were increased significantly in the groups with 1 h and 8 h exposure to paint vapor compared to the control group (P<0.001) however, the increase in the FSH level in the group with 1 h exposure to paint vapor was more than the group with 8 h exposure (P<0.001). Moreover, the testosterone hormone level was decreased in the 1 h and 8 h exposure groups compared to the control group (P<0.05) however, this decrease in the 1 h exposure group was lower than the 8 h exposure group (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The findings of the present study show that exposure to oil paint vapor in different time periods leads to an increase or a decrease in the serum levels of male steroid hormones.