Reproductive Toxicity to Male Mice of Nose Only Exposure to Water‐ Pipe Smoke

Abstract

Data on the possible adverse reproductive effects of water pipe smoking (WPS) are lacking. Here, we assessed the effects of exposure to WPS in mice. The duration of the session was 30 min/day for one month. Control mice were exposed to air. Twenty- four h after the last exposure, mice were killed and the testes and plasma removed. Testicular protein, alkaline phosphatase, several indices of oxidative damage and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 2 (VEGFR2) were quantified. The plasma concentrations of leptin, and reproductive hormones were also measured. Histological analysis of testes and lungs was also conducted. WPS caused statistically significant decreases in the plasma concentrations of leptin, testosterone, and LH, and in the concentrations of total protein and the antioxidant indices measured. A statistically non - significant decrease in VEGFR2 protein in the WPS - exposed mice was also found. The body and testicular weights of mice exposed to WPS , as well as testicular alkaline phosphatase activity and light microscopic histology, and plasma estrogen concentration were all not significantly affected by WPS. Further studies on the functional implications of these findings in mice exposed to WPS for longer duration are warranted.