Testosterone and testicular changes in F1 offspring of Wistar rats maternally exposed to nicotine during gestation

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the effect of intrauterine exposure to nicotine in the first fourteen days of gestation on the testicular function of male Wistar rats. METHODS: Pups of both control and nicotine-treated groups were selected and sacrificed on day 60 after birth. Birth weight, weight of reproductive organs, hormonal profile, and histopathology were determined in the first filial (F1) generation. RESULTS: Significant decreases in birth weight and litter size were found in the pups treated with nicotine when compared with the animals in the control group. Significant decreases were also observed in the testicular weight of nicotine-treated rats, but not in epididymal weight, when compared to controls. Testosterone levels were significantly decreased, atrophy was observed in the genital epithelial cells, and distortions were noted in the testes of nicotine-treated F1 males. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that nicotine exposure during pregnancy may cause endocrine disruption, and thus produce deleterious effects on offspring reproductive function.