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Low-dose Nicotine Exposure Induced the Oxidative Damage of Reproductive Organs and Altered the Sperm Characteristics

Siti Balkis Budin1, Jia Hui Kho1, Jia Hui Lee1

  • 1Programme of Biomedical Science, School of Diagnostic and Applied Health Science, Faculty of Health Science, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences : MJMS
|January 31, 2018
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Low-dose nicotine exposure in adolescent rats negatively impacts sperm quality and reproductive organ health. This study highlights nicotine

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Toxicology
  • Biochemistry
  • Histopathology

Background:

  • Nicotine is a primary toxicant in cigarette smoke, also used in nicotine replacement therapy (NRT).
  • Adolescent male Sprague-Dawley rats were used to assess chronic low-dose nicotine effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of chronic low-dose nicotine exposure on sperm characteristics.
  • To evaluate the effects on reproductive organ integrity, including biochemical and morphological changes.

Main Methods:

  • Twelve rats were divided into control (saline) and nicotine (0.6 mg/kg/day) groups for 28 days.
  • Sperm, testes, and prostate were analyzed for characteristics, biochemical markers, and morphology.
  • Body and reproductive organ weights were also assessed.

Main Results:

  • Nicotine significantly altered sperm count, motility, viability, and morphology.
  • Increased oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde, advanced oxidation protein product) and decreased antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase) activity were observed.
  • Histopathological alterations in testes were noted, with no significant changes in reduced glutathione levels.

Conclusions:

  • Chronic low-dose nicotine exposure (0.6 mg/kg) has detrimental effects on sperm parameters.
  • Nicotine induces significant oxidative stress in the testes and prostate of adolescent male rats.
Keywords:
infertilitymaleprostatereproductivespermtestes

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