Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of subchronic exposure to formaldehyde on ovarian reserve function in female rats. METHODS: Forty female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly subdivided into a control group and three formaldehyde groups. The rats in formaldehyde groups were intraperitoneally treated with formaldehyde at 0.2, 2.0 and 20.0 mg/(kg•d)for 14 days. Radioimmunoassay was used to detect estradiol(E2), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and Inhibin B. Ovary and body weights of female rats were measured and the organic coefficient of ovary was counted. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the levels of serum estradiol (E2) and Inhibin B in the groups treated with formaldehyde decreased significantly (P<0.05). The level of serum FSH increased and the organic coefficient of ovary decreased significantly(P<0.05), while the levels of LH didn't change obviously(P>0.05). CONCLUSION:The ovarian reserve function of female rats can be impaired after subchronically exposed to formaldehyde for 14 days.

Key words: formaldehyde, ovarian reserve function, estradiol E2, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, inhibin B