Abstract
The research evaluates the impact of Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) and Glutathione (GSH) on testosterone levels of pigeons, with implications for animal public health. ELISA was employed to analyze the interactions between oxidative stress over endocrine disruptors affecting hormone regulation in birds. GSH, an effective antioxidant, and DEHP, a plasticizer, are two chemicals that have established endocrine-disrupting activity, whose combined action on testosterone in birds is still to be comprehensively studied. Pigeons were treated with various concentrations of GSH and DEHP before the ELISA analysis of testosterone during the course of the experiment. The findings have profound implications in obtaining the knowledge of how environmental poisons can alter the hormone levels, which will influence behavior and reproduction to establish an animal health determinant. Testosterone, a key hormone in determining reproductive and behavioral outcomes, was chosen for study due to its significance in the physiological processes in birds. The results suggested there might be room for changes in testosterone production and regulation to support investigation of the effects of coexposure to endocrine disruptors and antioxidants. The work is a contribution towards explaining broader ramifications of environmental chemicals to animals and human health and paves the way for other studies examining hormonal and ecological implications of industrial contaminants to wildlife populations.