J Korean Med Sci.  2022 Jan;37(2):e9. 10.3346/jkms.2022.37.e9.

Association of Early Pubertal Onset in Female Rats With Inhalation of Lavender Oil

• Kim YM
• Lim HH

• KMID: 2524294
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2022.37.e9

Abstract

Background
Central precocious puberty (CPP) is caused by early activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis but its major cause remains unclear. Studies have indicated an association between chronic environmental exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals and pubertal onset. Essential oil is widely used in homes worldwide for relief of respiratory symptoms, stress, and/or sleep disturbance.
Methods
To evaluate this association, we compared the hormone levels and timing of vaginal opening (VO) in female rats exposed to lavender oil (LO) through different routes (study groups: control, LO nasal spray [LS], and indoor exposure to LO [LE]) during the prepubertal period. The body weights of the animals were also compared every 3 days until the day of VO, at which time gonadotropin levels and internal organ weights were assessed.
Results
The LS group showed early VO at 33.8 ± 1.8 days compared with the control (38.4 ± 2.9 days) and LE (36.6 ± 1.5 days) groups. Additionally, luteinizing hormone levels were significantly higher in the LE and LS groups than those in the control group. Body weights did not differ significantly among the groups.
Conclusion
Inhalation exposure to an exogenic simulant during the prepubertal period might trigger early pubertal onset in female rats. Further evaluation of exposure to other endocrine-disrupting chemicals capable of inducing CPP through the skin, orally, and/or nasally is warranted.

Keyword

Precocious Puberty; Endocrine Disruptors; Lavender Oil; Inhalation Exposure; Vaginal Opening

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Different vaginal opening onset times according to olfactory exposure to lavender oil.PND = postnatal day, LE = exposure to diffused lavender oil, C = control, LS = exposure to lavender oil as a nasal spray.

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  Fig. 2 Changes in mean body weight from PND 18 and after lavender oil exposure.PND = postnatal day, LS = exposure to lavender oil as a nasal spray, LE = exposure to diffused lavender oil.

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