•  
  •  
 

Saudi Toxicology Journal

Keywords

Propylparaben, DNA, Hormones, Toxicity, Histology

Document Type

Research Article

Abstract

ropylparaben (PP) is widely employed as a preservative in consumer products such as cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and food items, prompting increasing safety apprehensions due to its possible endocrine-disrupting properties. A controlled experimental investigation was conducted to assess the toxicological effects of sub-chronic propylparaben exposure on the testes of adult male rats. Twenty adult male rats (n = 20) were randomly assigned to two groups (10 rats per group): a control group receiving distilled water and a treated group receiving PP orally at a dosage of 100 mg/kg body weight once daily for four consecutive weeks. This dosage was selected based on prior toxicological research indicating detrimental reproductive consequences after repeated exposure. Toxicological, hormonal, histopathological, and genotoxic assessments were performed. Data were analyzed using an unpaired Student’s t-test and are presented as mean ± SEM, with statistical significance established at p < 0.05. Exposure to propylparaben resulted in marked toxicological disruptions and hormonal dysregulation, as reflected by a reduction in testosterone (142 ± 5.9 ng/dL, p < 0.0001), an increase in luteinizing hormone (10.4 ± 0.4 IU/L, p < 0.0001), and an elevation in follicle-stimulating hormone (9.6 ± 0.43 mIU/mL, p < 0.0001) compared to controls. Genotoxicity was evident through increased DNA damage, indicated by a heightened comet assay tail length (261.33 ± 4.1 µm, p < 0.0001). Histopathological evaluation demonstrated atrophy and structural disarray of seminiferous tubules, characterized by luminal constriction, epithelial degeneration, and localized tubular necrosis with associated inflammatory infiltration. These results indicate that repeated oral exposure to propylparaben induces measurable hormonal disturbances, genotoxicity, and structural damage to the testes, supporting concerns regarding its potential reproductive toxicity.

Publisher

Saudi Toxicology Society

DOI

https://doi.org/10.70957/uqu.edu.sa/s.toxicology.s/stj.2026.1.4.1

January 2026

Download

Share

COinS