Effects of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural on Pubertal Development of Female Wistar Rats

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Toxicology
• Endocrinology
• Food Chemistry

Background:

• 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is a compound formed during the heating of sugars and amino acids, found naturally in various foods.
• Understanding the potential toxic effects of HMF on reproductive health is crucial due to its widespread presence in the diet.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the toxic effects of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) on the reproductive system of peripubertal female Wistar rats.
• To assess the impact of HMF exposure on key reproductive hormones and ovarian development.

Main Methods:

• Immature female Wistar rats were divided into control, low-dose HMF, and high-dose HMF groups.
• Animals received HMF diets from postnatal day 21 for three weeks, with daily monitoring of vaginal opening.
• Hormone levels (gonadotropin, estradiol, progesterone, AMH), organ weights, and ovarian follicle counts were analyzed.

Main Results:

• High-dose HMF exposure resulted in earlier vaginal opening, indicating precocious puberty.
• Elevated luteinizing hormone and estradiol levels, alongside decreased anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentrations, were observed in the high-dose group.
• An increased number of atrophic ovarian follicles was noted in rats exposed to high-dose HMF.

Conclusions:

• Peripubertal exposure to high-dose HMF induces precocious puberty in female rats.
• HMF exposure at high doses leads to a decrease in anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels, suggesting impaired ovarian reserve.
• These findings highlight the potential reproductive toxicity of HMF in developing female rodents.