Tartrazine Suppresses the Functions of Female Reproductive System by Inducing Structural Alterations and Functional Impairment of the Ovary and Uterus in Albino Rat

Indiscriminate usage of the synthetic azo food dye tartrazine (TAZ) as a color additive has become an integral part of the present century. Humans get often exposed to this anthropogenic chemical through the consumption of TAZ-tainted foodstuffs, beverages and medicines, which draws attention to examine the effects of TAZ exposure on the female reproductive function. Therefore, the aim of the present study has been set to examine the probable effect of TAZ on the female reproductive system in albino rats. From the results, we observed that TAZ exerts positive cytotoxic effects on the cell line. We have also found significant alterations in the duration of each phase of the estrous cycle compared to the control group of rats along with prominent cytoarchitectural changes in vaginal smear component phases in a dose dependent manner. Further, the serum levels of FSH, LH and estradiol have also been significantly increased in TAZ-exposed groups of rats in a dose dependent manner. TAZ reconstructs the contractile movement of uterine visceral smooth muscle in each phase of the estrous cycle. Hence, it might be concluded that TAZ-induced impairment of the female reproductive functions probably involves the inhibition of the set point functions of the anterior pituitary ovarian axis.