Journal of International Research in Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

The chronic exposure to inhalation of gasoline products in today's society, especially in the Southern part of Nigeria (Niger Delta), and the fact that these products have been reported to be harmful to human health, are a source of concern. This study investigated the effect of gasoline inhalation on sexual behaviour in male Wistar rats, using a transgenerational approach. Male and female Wistar rats were exposed to gasoline inhalation at doses of group A (control) nil, groups B- G had 20ml/hr/day, 20ml/2hr/day, 20ml/3hr/day and 40ml/hr/day, 40ml/2hr/day, 40ml/3hr/day respectively for 14 weeks parent generation (F0) and 16 weeks first generation (F1) before mating, continued throughout mating, pregnancy, lactation until weaning of first generation (F1). All behavioural assessments were performed in adult male Wistar rats (beginning on PND 105) for all test groups during the dark phase of a reversed light/ dark cycle, under dim red light. Sexual behaviour parameters were significantly impaired in both F0 and F1 generations, with dose-dependent prolongation of mount, intromission, and ejaculatory latencies. Generational comparison (F0 versus F1) revealed amplification of mount latency (Group E: 15.9% increase) and post-ejaculatory interval (Group G: 3.6% increase), but partial compensatory recovery for mount frequency (Group G: 17.6% increase), intromission frequency (Group G: 35.3% increase), and ejaculatory frequency (Group G: 62.5% increase). This study contributes novel evidence supporting that chronic gasoline inhalation poses a great risk, with the adverse effects being inherited across generations. This has significant implications for public health and occupational safety, particularly in populations chronically exposed to gasoline fumes.