Prof. B D Vishwajit and Mahesh Tanwade at work in the animal house in Sharnbasva University, Kalaburagi.
| Photo Credit: ARUN KULKARNI
An advanced laboratory studies on rats and mice on reproductive toxicity and endocrine disruptive compounds by two scientists of Sharnbasva University has revealed disturbing facts of how harmful contents in some cosmetics and herbicides lead to hormonal imbalance leading to disrupting reproductive process, infertility, irregular menstrual cycle and finally cancer in a few cases.
Scientists B. D. Vishwajit and Mahesh Tanwade attached to the Faculty of Science and Technology in Sharnbasva University are in the final stages of their research and development project as part of their doctoral studies. The full-fledged Animal House established in the university has come in handy for their research work and helped in conducting the tests on the mice and rats on the harmful effects of cosmetics and herbicides leading to hormonal imbalance.
On February 25, they told mediapersons in Kalaburagi that the chemical compounds ‘Isobutyal Parabal’ found in some cosmetics and Phenyl Mercuric Acetate found in herbicides are one of the major reasons for endocrine disruptions and hormonal imbalances in the two generation studies on the sexual behaviour of rats and mice conducted in the Animal House of the Sharnbasva University.
Previous studies have revealed that a mere 27 MG/per KG/Per Day of Isobutyal Parabal exposure on humans via dermal route is enough for endocrine disruptions and hormonal imbalances leading to infertility and other health complications.
Prof. Vishwajit said that the full-fledged Animal House established in the Faculty of Science and Technology in 2023 was the first of its kind sanctioned by the Union Government in the Kalyana Karnataka region. The only other animal house functioning is in the in the Pharmacology Department of Mahadevappa Rampure Medical College.
The Animal House established at a cost of ₹13 lakh in 2023 is proving to be a good money earner for the university. In 2024, the Animal House earned a sum of ₹1.20 lakh through sale of rats and mice to other universities and educational institutions.
Published – February 26, 2025 09:41 am IST
