Effect of passive tobacco smoking on fertility of female mice.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the adverse effects of passive tobacco smoking on fertility of female mice and the preventive role of antioxidants, if any.


METHODS
Randomized controlled trial.


METHODS
Anatomy Department, CPSP Regional Centre, Islamabad, from February to July 2005.


METHODS
One hundred and seventeen female mice (Balb C) were selected by random sampling. They were mated and grouped as C (n=30) control, S (n=40) exposed to passive smoke in a whole body exposure chamber and SV (n=37) exposed to smoke and given antioxidants (vitamin C, E). At 19 days postcoital they were sacrificed and the number of pregnant animals, fetuses and resorption cases were counted. Histological study of uteri without fetuses was done in H and E stained sections for confirmation of pregnancy. Percentages were calculated and Chi-square test was used to calculate statistical significance.


RESULTS
The percentage of pregnancies was 55.00% in S and 80.00% in C (p=0.029). The percentage of animals with more than 11 fetuses was 5.0% in S and 33.30% in C (p=0.001). The percentage of animals with resorption was 31.80% in S and 0.00% in C (p=0.005). These values in SV were 64.86%, 18.90% and 20.80%, which were not significantly different from S (p=0.378, 0.216, 0.390 respectively). Histological study of resorption sites revealed decidual reaction / remnants of the placenta.


CONCLUSIONS
Passive tobacco smoke has adverse effects on fertility of female mice, which were not prevented by antioxidants. Either those were due to other chemicals present in smoke, or the antioxidants were inadequate to neutralize the free radicals.
Khan
Huma Musarrat
HM
Department of Anatomy, Foundation University Medical College, Islamabad. huma.anat@gmail.com
Khan
M Yunus
MY
Minhas
Liaqat Ali
LA
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005609:Free Radicals; D051379:Mice; D010920:Placenta / Q000187:drug effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014599:Uterus / Q000187:drug effects*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000975:Antioxidants; D005609:Free Radicals; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution; D014810:Vitamin E; D001205:Ascorbic Acid