Ameliorative effects of coconut oil on the ovaries of refinery effluent intoxicated Norwegian rats

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the possible ameliorative activity of coconut oil on the toxic effects of untreated refinery effluents on the ovaries of Norwegian rats. Three experimental groups of 10 rats each were used for the study; all animals had feed and water ad libitum. Group 1 was untreated and served as the control group, Group 2 was treated with 2 ml of untreated refinery effluent daily PO and group 3 was treated with 2 ml of untreated refinery effluent and 2 ml of coconut oil daily PO for 9 weeks. Every 3 weeks 2 rats in each group were euthanized with chloroform and ovarian tissues were surgically harvested; tissue concentration of heavy metals was assayed and histology was carried out. Treatment was discontinued at nine weeks and rats in group 2 and 3 were designated groups 4 and 5; allowed a 21 days resting period after which they were euthanized, ovaries surgically harvested and assayed as well. Results indicate that changes in ovarian tissue concentration of Chromium and Lead in the treated groups were of statistical significance (P ≤ 0.05) compared to control. Results also showed that rats treated with coconut oil as abatement had normal histological architecture. Coconut oil had ameliorative effects on the ovary of rats intoxicated with refinery effluent and the ovaries returned to normal activities within 21 days post exposure.