The effect of benzo(a)pyrene on murine ovarian and corpora lutea volumes.
OBJECTIVE
Women who smoke have impaired fertility and experience menopause at an earlier age. This experiment determined the effect of benzo(a)pyrene, a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon contained in cigarette smoke, on murine ovarian volume, total corpora lutea volume, individual corpora lutea volumes, and corpora lutea numbers.


METHODS
C57BL/6N mice were treated with intraperitoneal injections of 0 to 500 mg/kg benzo(a)pyrene in corn oil. The 20 mice at each dose were divided into four groups of five each and were killed at 1, 2, 3, or 4 weeks after treatment. Ovaries were serially sectioned and analyzed morphometrically.


RESULTS
Benzo(a)pyrene produced a dose- and time-dependent decrease in ovarian volume, total corpora lutea volume, and number of corpora lutea per ovary. This effect was transitory at low doses with complete recovery of corpora lutea by 4 weeks. Compensatory hypertrophy of the individual corpora lutea occurred during the recovery phase. Ovarian function did not return in animals treated with the two highest doses.


CONCLUSIONS
Benzo(a)pyrene is a murine ovarian toxicant that inhibits corpus luteum formation in a dose- and time-dependent fashion.
Miller
M M
MM
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock 72205.
Plowchalk
D R
DR
Weitzman
G A
GA
London
S N
SN
Mattison
D R
DR
D000818:Animals; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003338:Corpus Luteum / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D010053:Ovary / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors
D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene