The effect of smoking and electronic cigarettes on rat testicles

Objective

After the negative effects of smoking on public health were proven, smoking cessation campaigns were initiated by health ministries and non-governmental organizations. Many drugs have been tried to reduce the addiction to smoking and the nicotine contained in it. Recently, e-cigarettes (EC) are widely used for smoking cessation efforts, although the effects and possible harms are not fully known. In our study, we planned to show the effect of cigarette and EC smoke on the male urogenital system.

Methods

Adult male wistar rats were exposed to cigarette and EC smoke in a specially designed glass bell jar. Urine cotinine levels, testicular weights, gonadosomatic index, sperm count and sperm motility, testicular histology, and biochemical findings were compared with the control group.

Results

In some rats in the cigarette and EC group, the seminiferous tubules were disorganized, and the germ cells and Sertoli cells were separated and shed. Stopped germ cell separation, cavity formation, necrosis, fibrosis, and atrophy were observed in severe cases. Higher PCO levels were found in the cigarette group compared to controls. Tissue homogenates levels of LPO were higher in both EC and cigarette groups compared to controls. No significant differences were observed between groups in terms of sperm motility and sperm count.

Conclusion

Cigarette and EC liquid can increase oxidative stress as well as cause morphological changes in the testicle. To be a safe option in smoking cessation studies, its effect on people needs to be enlightened.