Effects of Repeated Environmental Noise Exposure on Ovarian Histomorphology, Reproductive Hormones and Antioxidant Enzyme Activities in Adult Female Wistar Rats
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2026-1021-6332Keywords:
Environmental noise, Ovary, Wistar rat, Ovarian histomorphology, Oestrogen, luteinizing hormone, Antioxidant enzymesAbstract
Environmental noise is a prevalent environmental stressor that may influence physiological function through neuroendocrine and redox pathways. The present study evaluated the effects of repeated exposure to four recorded environmental noise sources on body weight, reproductive hormones, ovarian antioxidant enzymes activities and ovarian histomorphology in adult female Wistar rats. Twenty-five rats were randomly allocated to five groups (n=5/group): An unexposed control group and groups exposed to a car horn (90 dB), siren (80 dB), gunshots (100 dB), or generator (100 dB) noise for 3 h daily for 21 days. Body weight was recorded before and after exposure. Serum oestrogen and luteinizing hormone (LH) were measured by ELISA, while ovarian superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were determined spectrophotometrically. Ovarian sections were examined following haematoxylin and eosin staining. Gunshot exposed rats showed the greatest percentage reduction in body weight (-10.07 ± 3.18 %), significantly different from controls (p = 0.011). Differences in serum oestrogen and LH concentrations were not statistically significantly. Histology revealed morphological alterations in exposed groups, including stromal loosening, reduced follicular representation, stromal degeneration and, in the generator group, evidence of luteal regression and vascular congestion. These findings provide preliminary evidence of ovarian morphological alterations associated with repeated noise exposure in adult female Wistar rats. However, because noise source, sound intensity and acoustic pattern were not independently manipulated, the individual contribution of these factors cannot be established. Larger studies incorporating oestrous cycle staging, quantitative histomorphometry, direct markers of oxidative damage and neuroendocrine stress are warranted
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