Histomorphometrical evaluation in testis and epididymis of rats with pulmonary emphysema experimentally induced by prolonged exposure to cigarette smoke

Amanda De Gênova Ribeiro,Isabel Cristina Cherici Camargo,Rodrigo De Las Heras Kozma,João Tadeu Ribeiro-Paes,Talita Stessuk

doi:10.14393/bj-v32n4a2016-33925

Amanda De Gênova Ribeiro, Isabel Cristina Cherici Camargo + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.14393/bj-v32n4a2016-33925

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Abstract

The study evaluated the histomorphometrical aspects of testis and epididymis of adult rats with pulmonary emphysema experimentally induced by exposure to cigarette smoke for 30 weeks. Previous studies related to effects of the cigarette smoke on male reproductive tissue were performed in relatively shorter time periods and thus, it does not allow a direct correlation between smoke exposure and damage to reproductive structures like testis and epididymis. In order to evaluate the effect of cigarette smoke for long period on the testis and epididymis, twelve adult Wistar rats were divided into two groups: Control (CG; exposed to ambient air) and Smoking (SG; exposed to cigarette smoke). The weight of the testes, epididymides, seminal glands and prostate were not affected (p>0.05) by experimental treatment. In the SG, the testes presented cellular desquamation, significant decrease in the number of germ cells and Sertoli cell, and reduction (p<0.05) in area and diameter of seminiferous tubules. The exposure of animals to cigarette smoke did not promoted histological changes in the epididymis, but decreased significantly the ductular area and epithelial height in the caput and corpus regions. It was concluded that testis was more susceptible than the epididymis to the effects of cigarette smoke constituents in rats with pulmonary emphysema experimentally induced by prolonged cigarette-smoke exposure.

Highlights

In accordance with the recent data of the World Health Organization, the number of smokers around the world is estimated at 1 billion people (WHO, 2013)
The alveoli were characteristically normal in control group (CG)-group, while in SGgroup there was increase in alveolar area and destruction of parenchyma, confirming the clinical findings of pulmonary emphysema
Previous studies have reported decreased testis weight of rats exposed to cigarette smoke (RAJPURKAR et al, 2000; KAPAWA et al, 2004), to animals treated with nicotine (LONDONKAR et al, 1998; AUDI et al, 2006)

Summary

Introduction

In accordance with the recent data of the World Health Organization, the number of smokers around the world is estimated at 1 billion people (WHO, 2013). In Brazil, the prevalence of smoking is 16%, but a decline has been observed over the years (MALTA et al, 2010). An increase of smoking is verified in less developed countries and the result is about 6 million deaths per year, the equivalent of 1 death every 6 seconds due to smoke exposure (WHO, 2013). In this context, cigarette smoking is a serious public health problem and triggers an economic burden of more than half a trillion dollars per year. Still, smoking is considered a serious risk factor for six of the eight leading causes of death (WHO, 2013). Among the damage associated with cigarette constituents are reported heart and vascular diseases, asthma, tuberculosis, pulmonary emphysema, as well as cancer of the mouth, pharynx, larynx and lung (GREYDANUS; PATEL, 2003; WHO, 2013)

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