Assessment of a sub-chronic consumption of Tartrazine (E102) on sperm and oxidative stress features in Wistar rat

Tartrazine (FD and C Yellow No. 5) is still one of the most used coloring agent in drugs, cosmetics and food industry, several toxic effects in rodent as human were described, including some disruption regarding the reproductive system function. This study was conducted in order to evaluate the effect of a sub-chronic consumption of tartrazine on sperm quality, testosterone level and oxidative stress markers in testis. Therefore, 300 mg/kg of body weight of tartrazine were daily intragastrally (i.g.) administrated to Wistar rats during 30 days. Sperm features, testosterone and cholesterol levels in plasma and testis were assessed. We evaluated lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde (MDA)) and antioxidant enzymes activities, including Glutathion-S-Transferase (GST) and catalase in testis. Furthermore, toxicity indicators to knowlactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and acid phosphatase were measured in plasma. We showed that tartrazine consumption led to a significant decrease in body weight gain and critically altered sperm characteristics. Both testosterone and cholesterol levels were significantly decreased and a lower activity of thiol group (SH), catalase and GST was recorded. MDA level in testis, LDH and acid phosphatase rate in plasma were highly increased. Our results revealed that subchronic exposure to tartrazine could be extremely harmful to the reproductive function. Yet, it is mandatory to raise the awareness of health issue related to this dye