Backgrounds and Aim: Studies have shown that exposure to oil paints and chemicals
emissions is followed by physiological disorders. The aim of this study was to determine the
effects of inhalation of oil paint emissions on serum level of prolactin in male and female rats.

Material and Methods: In this experimental study, 15 male and 15 female Wistar rats were randomly divided in to control group and exposed group to paint emissions for 1 and 8 h/day. After 10 weeks, blood samples were prepared using cardiac puncture method and after serum preparation, level of prolactin was measured by radioimmunoassay method and data were analyzed using ANOVA.

Results: Serum level of prolactin was significantly increased both in male and female groups exposed to paint emissions for 1 and 8 h/day as compared to control group (p<0.001). In  
contrast to male groups, in female groups, the serum prolactin level increased higher in
group exposed to paint emission for 1 h/day as compared to group exposed to paint emission
for 8 h/day (p<0.001).

Conclusion: The findings of this study show that exposure to oil paint emissions can increase the serum level of prolactin that may be followed by other physiological disorders.