Effect of Cigarette Smoke Exposure on Kisspeptin Levels in Pubertal Female Rats: Role of Vitamin D Supplementation
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- Category: Vol. 83, September 2015
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Effect of Cigarette Smoke Exposure on Kisspeptin Levels in Pubertal Female Rats: Role of Vitamin D Supplementation, MAHA M. ATTIA
Abstract
Background: Animal and human studies have shown associations between active smoking and altered female fertility. However, the reproductive effects of passive smoking is relatively new compared to the effects of active smoking. Pubertal exposure to cigarette smoke may be associated with reproductive effects in adulthood. There are some evidence that in addition to sex steroid hormones, the classic regulators of human reproduction; Vitamin D (Vit D) also modulates reproductive processes in women and men. Recently, the neuropeptide kisspeptin has been identified as a potential regulator of developmental changes in reproduction.
Aim: The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of cigarette smoke exposure on kisspeptin levels, Hypotha-lamic-Pituitary-Gonadal (HPG) axis in pubertal female rats. The effect of Vit D supplementation was also studied.
Material and Methods: Thirty female pubertal albino rats aged (35-40 days) were divided into three groups: Group (I) 10 rats served as control, Group (II) 10 rats exposed to cigarette smoke (1 hour/day) (CSE) and Group (III) 10 rats supplemented with Vit D in a dose of (650 IU/Rat/Day) along with Cigarette Smoke Exposure (CSE +Vit D). In adult female rats (85-90 days), serum levels of Vit D, kisspeptin, Gonado-tropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH), Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone(LH), estrogen and progesterone were detected. Ovarian levels of estrogen, progesterone, total antioxidant capacity and apoptotic marker (active caspase-3) were also determined.
Results: Cigarette smoke exposure caused a significant reduction in both serum levels of Vit D, Kisspeptin and hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian hormones (GnRH, FSH, LH, estrogen and progesterone) and ovarian levels of estrogen, progesterone and total antioxidant capacity. Significant ele-vation in active caspase-3 was observed. On the contrary, Vit D supplementation caused a significant elevation in serum levels of kisspeptin, hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian hormones and ovarian levels of estrogen, progesterone and total antioxi-dant capacity. However, significant reduction in apoptotic marker (caspase-3) was detected. Kisspeptin was positively correlated with Vit D in (CSE) and (CSE +Vit D) groups and with ovarian estrogen in (CSE) group p<0.00 1. On the other hand its inversely correlated with active caspase-3 in both (CSE) and (CSE + Vit D) groups.
Conclusion: According to the findings of the present study, it can be concluded that exposure to cigarette smoke during pubertal period may lead to reduction in Vit D. This could impair kisspeptin level, inducing hypothalamic dysfunc-tion, and affect pituitary and ovarian function. On the other hand, vitamin D supplementation modulates kisspeptin function which preserves hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, prevents oxidative damage, loss of ovarian function and reduces ovarian apoptosis. Therefore, we could suggest that Vit D may have an important protective role against deleterious effects of cigarette smoke exposure. It could be considered as a key regulator of neuroendocrine and ovarian function.