Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Biswadip Sanfui Author-Workplace-Name: Molecular Cell Biology Lab, Department of Zoology, Maulana Azad College, 8, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road, Taltala, Kolkata, West Bengal-700013, India Author-Name: Debasmita Ghosh Author-Workplace-Name: Molecular Cell Biology Lab, Department of Zoology, Maulana Azad College, 8, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road, Taltala, Kolkata, West Bengal-700013, India Author-Name: Sromon Dutta Author-Workplace-Name: Molecular Cell Biology Lab, Department of Zoology, Maulana Azad College, 8, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road, Taltala, Kolkata, West Bengal-700013, India Author-Name: Ritika Sarkar Author-Workplace-Name: Molecular Cell Biology Lab, Department of Zoology, Maulana Azad College, 8, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road, Taltala, Kolkata, West Bengal-700013, India Author-Name: Sandip Kumar Mandal Author-Workplace-Name: Molecular Cell Biology Lab, Department of Zoology, Maulana Azad College, 8, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road, Taltala, Kolkata, West Bengal-700013, India Author-Name: Sarmistha Banik Author-Workplace-Name: Molecular Cell Biology Lab, Department of Zoology, Maulana Azad College, 8, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road, Taltala, Kolkata, West Bengal-700013, India Author-Name: Sujit Kumar Bhowal Author-Workplace-Name: Molecular Cell Biology Lab, Department of Zoology, Maulana Azad College, 8, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road, Taltala, Kolkata, West Bengal-700013, India Title: Protective Effects of β-carotene Against Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate Induced Stress in Male Swiss Albino Mice (Mus musculus): A Multi-Index Study of Histopathological, Hematological, Cytogenetic and Biochemical Parameters Abstract: Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS) is a very common anionic surfactant, which is extensively used in daily life. SDS finds applications in the food industry, cosmetics industry and other healthcare products. Regular exposure to SDS in day-to-day life may be hazardous due to its potential cytotoxic nature. Hazardous effects can be seen when animals are exposed to it via oral and dermal routes. There have been four experimental groups, Gr. I (negative control), Gr. II (200mg/ Kg for 7 consecutive days β-carotene positive control), Gr. III (0.06 g/Kg body weight SDS control) and Gr. IV β-carotene for 7 consecutive days and then β-carotene for another 7 consecutive days along with SDS). It has been shown that organs like liver, pancreas and testis of animals of Gr. III are adversely affected and disruption of hepatocytes, pancreatic cells and testicular cells have been observed. SDS adversely affects haematological parameters by lowering haemoglobin level and erythrocyte count, and increasing leukocyte count. From the biochemical point of view SDS has been found to increase Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), lower tissue protein content and catalase activity. In addition to testicular histopathological effects, SDS has lowered sperm count, sperm motility, and increased sperm head anomalies. Apart from these, the cytotoxicity of SDS is recorded concerning cell viability, mitotic index, micronuclei as well as chromosome aberrations. β-carotene has been known as a potent antioxidant and it might have some role on amelioration of the harmful effects of SDS. With this hypothesis and consideration, SDS-induced mice have been exposed to β-carotene (Gr. IV) to obtain the amelioration effect on toxicity that involve oxidative mechanisms. From the results of our investigation, it is evident that SDS causes wide ranging toxic effects on the health of male Swiss albino mice, affecting growth, organ function, blood profile, sperm quality, genetic integrity and oxidative balance. These adverse effects appear to be closely linked with oxidative stress and cellular damage. β-carotene, on the other hand, is able to reduce or prevent many of these SDS-induced effects. It may be thought that antioxidants like β-carotene might work in the pathway that neutralizes ROS generated by SDS exposure, thereby reducing oxidative stress, and preventing cellular damage. Keywords: Sodium dodecyl sulphate, Cytotoxicity, β-carotene, Sperm head anomaly, ROS, Catalase activity, Micronuclei, Chromosome aberration, Mitotic index Journal: Inventum Biologicum: An International Journal of Biological Research Pages: 28-49 Volume: 5 Issue: 4 Year: 2025 File-URL: https://journals.worldbiologica.com/ib/article/view/197 File-Format: text/html File-URL: https://journals.worldbiologica.com/ib/article/view/197/365 File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:adg:ibijbr:v:5:y:2025:i:4:p:28-49