Long‐term effects of cigarette‐smoke exposure on plasma testosterone, luteinizing hormone and follicle‐stimulating hormone levels in male rats

Abstract

Objectives To determine the effects of long-term cigarette were no significant changes in testosterone in the control rats. The mean plasma LH and FSH levels of smoking on the levels of plasma testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone the two groups did not change significantly after exposure. In rats exposed to smoke, histological exam-(FSH) in male adult rats and to examine morphological and histological changes in the testes.ination of the testes showed fewer Leydig cells and degeneration of the remaining cells. Materials and methods Cigarette smoke was generated by a smoking-machine and 12 rats were exposed to Conclusion These results indicate that the decrease in plasma testosterone levels induced by exposure to cigarette smoke diluted with 90% air for 60 days (2 h/day). Twelve rats were exposed to room air only smoke was not associated with changes in plasma gonadotrophin levels. The decrease in testosterone under similar conditions as controls. The concentrations of plasma testosterone, LH and FSH were levels may be related to the toxic effects of smoke on Leydig cells. measured before and after exposure using a radioimmunoassay and the testes were examined

Alteration of fertility endpoints in adult male F-344 rats by subchronic exposure to inhaled benzo(a)pyrene

“…Peltola et al (1996) have shown that ROS can damage critical components of the steroidogenetic pathway in Leydig cells, including steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein (Diemer et al, 2003). The reduction in the synthesis and release of testosterone could be exacerbated by a reduction in the population of Leydig cells via apoptosis as exemplified in data on Leydig cells from rats exposed to cigarette smoke (Yardimci et al, 1997). Our data show a decrease in the interstitial volume and weight in BaP-exposed versus UNC rat testis histological preparations, suggesting the loss of Leydig cells.…”

The Effect of Environmental Tobacco Smoke on the Testicular Functions of 7-10 Years Old Children

“…19 In a study, Yardımcı et al reported that exposure to cigarette smoke decreases the testosterone level and Leydig cell number in rats. 13 In another study by Yamamoto and associates, secretory dysfunction of the Leydig cells, deficiency in sperm maturation and spermatogenesis, decreased testosterone response to hCG stimulation were shown after exposure of rats to cigarette smoke. 20 Despite all this intensive work, the study number about negative effects of ETS on testicular functions is quite rare in children.…”

“…Significantly increased, 12 decreased and unchanged levels of total testosterone in male smokers have been reported in various studies. 12,13,17 In a study semen parameters and hormone concentrations of infertile smokers had been compared with infertile non-and ex-smokers. In this study Trummer et al reported that smoking does not affect conventional semen parameters, but increases serum free and total testosterone.…”

“…In this study, histological examination of the testes showed fewer Leydig cells and degeneration of the remaining cells in testes of ETS exposed rats. 13 The mechanism behind the the gonadotoxic effect of ETS exposure is not yet understood. The harmful effects of ETS on testicular function might be mediated through oxidative damage.…”

“…However, a majority of investigations about the relationship between male reproductive system and tobacco smoke are about the effect of active smoking in adults or ETS exposure in rats. [11][12][13][14] The main objective of the current study was to evaluate the effects of ETS exposure on testicular function in children.To our knowledge, it is the first study conducted in the literature. For assessing ETS exposure in children a parent-completed questionnaire and the measurement of serum cotinine level were used.…”