title: Environmental Tobacco Smoke Exposure during Intrauterine Period, Promotes Caspase Dependent and Independent DNA Fragmentation in Sertoli-Germ Cells.
abstract: Objectives. To investigate the effect of cigarette smoke exposure during intrauterine period on neonatal rat testis. Methods. Twenty-five rats were randomized to be exposed to cigarette smoke with the Walton Smoking Machine or to room air during their pregnancies. The newborn male rats (n = 21) were grouped as group 1 (n = 15) which were exposed to cigarette smoke during intrauterine life and group 2 (n = 6) which were exposed to room air during intrauterine life. The orchiectomy materials were analyzed with TUNEL immunofluorescent staining for detection of DNA damage. To detect apoptosis, immunohistochemical analyses with caspase-3 were performed. Primary outcomes were apoptotic index and immunohistochemical scores (HSCORES); secondary outcomes were Sertoli-cell count and birth-weight of rats. Results. Sertoli cell apoptosis was increased in group 1 (HSCORE = 210.6 ± 41.9) when compared to group 2 (HSCORE = 100.0 ± 17.8) (P = 0.001). Sertoli cell count was decreased in group 1 (P = 0.043). The HSCORE for the germ cells was calculated as 214.0 ± 46.2 in group 1 and 93.3 ± 10.3 in group 2 (P = 0.001) referring to an increased germ cell apoptosis in group 1. The apoptotic indexes for group 1 were 49.6 ± 9.57 and 29.98 ± 2.34 for group 2 (P = 0.001). The immunofluorescent technique demonstrated increased DNA damage in seminiferous epithelium in group 1. Conclusions. Intrauterine exposure to cigarette smoke adversely affects neonatal testicular structuring and diminishes testicular reserve.
authors.affiliation: Dumlupinar University, School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 43000 Kutahya, Turkey.
authors.forename: Beril
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yüksel
authors.affiliation: Dr. Zekai Tahir BURAK Women Health, Education and Research Hospital, Department of Reproductive Endocrinology and IVF, Cebeci, 06230 Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sevtap
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kilic
authors.affiliation: Gazi University, Faculty of Medicine, NanoMedicine Research Laboratory, Golbasi, 06810 Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Nese
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lortlar
authors.affiliation: Namik Kemal University, Faculty of Medicine, 59000 Tekirdag, Turkey.
authors.forename: Nicel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tasdemir
authors.affiliation: HRS Women Health and IVF Center, Cankaya, 06700 Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Semra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sertyel
authors.affiliation: Dr. Zekai Tahir BURAK Women Health, Education and Research Hospital, Department of Reproductive Endocrinology and IVF, Cebeci, 06230 Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Yesim
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bardakci
authors.affiliation: HRS Women Health and IVF Center, Cankaya, 06700 Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Tarik
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Aksu
authors.affiliation: Samsun 19 Mayıs University, Faculty of Medicine, 55220 Samsun, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sertaç
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Batioglu