Nicotine impairs rat folliculogenesis in a dose-dependent manner: Histomorphological evidence

Background: Nicotine (NT), a receptor agonist of most nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, may have negative impacts on the female reproductive system. The purpose of current study was to determine the effects of NT on histomorphological features of ovarian follicles in adult female rats.Methods: In this rodent model study, 20 female Wistar rats were randomly categorized into 4 equal groups including control, NT (0.50 mg/kg), NT (1.00 mg/kg) and NT (2.00 mg/kg) groups. The number of mature and atretic ovarian follicles as well as corpora lutea was recorded after 49 days.Result: Administration of NT in female rats reduced graafian follicles and corpora lutea population and increased follicular atresia in a dose-dependent manner compared to control group.Conclusion: Histological analyses revealed that NT treatment can cause folliculogenesis disruption in female rats. Further studies should be designed to uncover the pathophysiological aspects of NT-induced folliculogenesis impairment.

کلیدواژه ها:

Atresia ، Folliculogenesis ، Rat ، Nicotine