Effects of Different Doses of Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) on Pubertal Development and Hormones in Male Syrian Hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus)

AIM:The effects of lavender, known for its calming effect, on the nervous system and reproductive system are being investigated. This study examines the development of male offspring exposed to different doses of lavender extract from the pregnancy period onwards. METHODS:Eight adult female and forty adult male offspring Syrian hamsters in a long photoperiod (16L) were assigned to four groups: the control group, the groups that received 50 mg/kg, the groups that received 100 mg/kg, and the groups that received 200 mg/kg lavender extract applied. Lavender extract was injected to the pregnant females in the experimental group during the last week of pregnancy and throughout the lactation period. From the 15th day after birth, male offspring were separated into groups of 5, with blood samples taken at midday and midnight. The doses were injected for 40 days. Weekly testis measurements were taken. Changes in serum leptin and testosterone hormones taken at the end of the experiment were determined. Testis histology was examined. RESULTS:The experimental groups showed no significant difference in leptin levels (p>0.05), although testosterone levels remained lower than in the control group (p<0.05). Testicular weights in the 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg groups were significantly lower than in the control group (p<0.05). Additionally, there was a decrease in Leydig cells and spermatogenesis in testicular histology in these groups. CONCLUSIONS:The physiological effects of plant extracts are not well studied, despite the fact that lavender is being used more and more in various fields. However, it is also known that higher dosages lower testosterone hormone levels and suppress the reproductive system in mature animals. This study evaluated the effects of various doses of lavender on the reproductive development of pubertal offspring from pregnancy onward, and for the first time, it was found to have negative impacts on development.