Eff ect of Semicarbazide on the testis of juvenile male albino rat

Semicarbazide (SEM) is a metabolite of the banned veterinary antibiotic nitrofurazone [1]. In addition, SEM is a decomposition product of azodicarbonamide (which belongs to the hydrazine family of chemicals). SEM has in fact been found in food in glass jars sealed with plastic gaskets manufactured using azodicarbonamide as a blowing agent, such as baby foods, fruit juices, jams to prevent leakage and microbiological contamination of the jar contents. Furthermore, azodicarbonamide is used as a flour additive in some countries owing to its dough-improving properties [2,3]. SEM has also been detected in seaweed-derived products, which are widely used as food additives [4]. The possibility of exposure through various foods independent of nitrofurazone usage has thus raised concerns about the health risk of SEM. So far, the risk of adverse effects of SEM exposure to human beings has been considered low because there is a sufficient margin of exposure [5]. However, intake of SEM for infants is estimated to be much higher than for adults because of high consumption of baby food in glass jars and the infants’ small body weight [6]. Accordingly, because infants or children might be more vulnerable to SEM than adults, evaluation of toxic effects of SEM with the focus on age-related susceptibility is important for risk assessment in human health.