PM 2.5 juvenile exposure–induced spermatogenesis dysfunction by triggering testes ferroptosis and antioxidative vitamins intervention in adult male rats

ABSTRACT: PM2.5 derived from automobile exhaust can cause reproductive impairment in adult males, but the toxic effects of PM2.5 exposure on reproductive function in juvenile male rats and its relationship with ferroptosis have not been reported. In this paper, 30-day-old juvenile male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into four groups (blank control, vitamin control, PM2.5, and PM2.5+Vitamin). The blank control group was fed normally, and the vitamin control group was given intragastric administration of vitamins in addition to normal feeding. PM2.5 was administered via tracheal intubation. When the rats were treated for 4 weeks until reaching the period of sexual maturity. A mating test was performed first, and then their testicular and epididymal tissues were studied. Compared with control rats, juvenile male rats exposed to PM2.5 showed a decreased sperm count and fertility rate, redox imbalance, damaged mitochondria, a metabolic disorder of intracellular iron ions, and a significant rise in ferroptosis during the period of sexual maturity. After antioxidative vitamins intervention, the redox imbalance, metabolic disorder of intracellular iron ions, and ferroptosis were all alleviated, leading to the following conclusions: after being exposed to PM2.5 from automobile exhaust, male juvenile rats during the period of sexual maturity have significantly decreased reproductive function. The reproductive toxicity of PM2.5 is closely related to oxidative stress and ferroptosis. In addition, ferroptosis decreases and reproductive function is recovered to some degree after antioxidative vitamins intervention. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: [Image: see text]