Chronic exposure to ethyl alcohol-based hand sanitizer (EABHS) is associated with some systemic toxicities such as respiratory distress, nervous injury, cardiac arrest, and liver damage, but no report on its impact on sperm test functions. This study aims to evaluate the impact of EABHS toxicity on the male reproductive functions in Wistar rats. The rats were randomly divided into four groups, with five rats each. The treatment of all groups lasted for 8 weeks (gavage administered). Group A received 5 ml/kg normal saline; Group B rats received 5 ml/kg EABHS; Group C received 10 ml/kg EABHS; Group D received 20 ml/kg EABHS for 56 days. Body weight increased significantly in all treated groups compared to the control. Testicular volume decreased significantly in groups C and D, while testes weight did not decrease significantly in groups B-D compared to group A. Significant changes were seen in the testis weight to body weight ratio in groups C and D compared to group A. Chronic exposure to EABHS results in a significant decrease in sperm count and motility and an increase in dysmorphology in groups C and D when compared to group A. Excessive use of EAHBS can exacerbate impairment of sperm parameters and testicular toxicity in male reproduction.
Testiculotoxicity activities of ethyl alcohol-based hand sanitizer in adult male Wistar rats
Adebanji M. Akingbade1, Ekpe A. Ekpe1, Peterson M. Atiba2, Mavuto Gondwe3, Okikioluwa S. Aladeyelu3
1 Department of Anatomy, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
2 Department of Clinical Anatomy, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
3 Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha, South Africa
SUMMARY
Eur. J. Anat.
, 30
(2):
175-
179
(2026)
ISSN 2340-311X (Online)
