Consumption of Potash Distorted Female Sex Hormones Which May Result in Gynaecological and Obstetrics Complaints

Objective: Potash is a common food additive in African particularly Nigeria. This study sought to investigate its effects on female sex hormones in Wistar rats.

Materials and Methods: Locally sourced potash from Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria, was administered to 30 healthy female Wistar rats in varying doses (250, 500, 750, and 1000 mg/kg body weight) for 28 days while the fifth group served as the control group. The serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), progesterone (Pg), estrogen, and prolactin were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Statistical analysis was conducted using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Results: Potash consumption exhibited dose-dependent effects on female reproductive hormones. Significant alterations were observed in FSH, LH, Pg, estrogen, and prolactin levels compared to the untreated control group. Notably, higher doses of potash correlated with elevated hormone levels, indicating a potential distortion in the hormonal balance.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that potash consumption may lead to significant changes in female sex hormones in Wistar rats, emphasizing the need for further research to elucidate the potential implications for gynaecological and obstetric health. These results contribute to the understanding of environmental factors affecting hormonal balance and provide insights into the broader impact on reproductive health.