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Cigarette smoke exposure disrupts the blood-testis barrier and negatively impacts reproductive capacity in mice

Yuan Zhong1, Xueyu Wei2, Zimangul Yasin2

  • 1School of Public Health, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China; Xishan Branch, Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps Hospital, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China.

Toxicology
|January 23, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Cigarette smoke extract damages the blood-testis barrier (BTB) in mice, impairing sperm production. This damage is linked to altered hormone levels and reduced key proteins essential for BTB integrity and male fertility.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive biology
  • Toxicology
  • Cell biology

Background:

  • The blood-testis barrier (BTB) is crucial for maintaining testicular function and normal spermatogenesis.
  • Cigarette smoke extract (CSE) is known to negatively impact testicular function, but its specific effects on the BTB remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of CSE on the BTB in mice.
  • To elucidate the underlying mechanisms, focusing on changes in hormone levels and BTB-related proteins.

Main Methods:

  • Male Balb/c mice were intranasally administered CSE at various concentrations for five weeks.
  • Evaluated testicular structure, sperm quality, hormone levels, and BTB ultrastructure.
  • Assessed the expression of key BTB proteins including occludin, ZO-1, N-cadherin, β-catenin, and connexin-43.

Main Results:

  • CSE exposure led to testicular atrophy, disordered spermatogenesis, and reduced sperm quality.
  • CSE disrupted the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and altered hormone levels.
  • Ultrastructural damage to the BTB was observed, with increased permeability and suppressed expression of critical BTB proteins.

Conclusions:

  • CSE exposure significantly disrupts BTB structure and function in mice.
  • Inhibition of BTB-related proteins and hormonal imbalances are key mechanisms underlying CSE-induced testicular damage.
  • These findings highlight the adverse effects of cigarette smoke on male reproductive capacity.
Keywords:
Blood–testis barrierCigarette smoke extractSex hormonesSmoking

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