Efeitos do uso do cigarro eletrônico sobre a função epididimária de ratos Wistar expostos durante o trânsito espermático.
Rafaely Araújo Barroso
Universidade Federal Rural do Semi árido
Leonardo Martins dos Santos
UFERSA
Maria Joana Nogueira De Moura
Cibele Dos Santos Borges
Palavras-chave: Jovens, Ratos Wistar, Epidídimo, Fumaça de cigarro, Cigarro eletrônico, Tabagismo
Resumo
The use of recreational substances, such as cigarettes, can have various effects on human health, particularly on the reproductive system. It is well established that smoking negatively affects sperm quality in men. However, with the growing popularity of vaping or electronic cigarettes, further research is needed to assess the potential harmful effects of exposure to e-cigarette vapor, especially regarding sperm quality. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible effects of short-term exposure to electronic cigarette vapor on adult male rats during the specific period of sperm transit. A total of 14 adult Wistar rats (90 days old) obtained from the UERN animal facility and maintained at the UFERSA facility (CEUA approval no. 02/2024) were divided into two experimental groups (n = 7 per group): GP-C (control group, not exposed to vaping smoke) and GP-T (treated group, exposed to vaping smoke containing 20 mg/mL nicotine). The exposure was performed by inhalation for four consecutive days—the standard period to eliminate testicular influence on epididymal sperm. The inhalation setup consisted of a wooden chamber (50 × 30 × 25 cm) where the rats were exposed to vapor generated using a Vaporesso® Zero 2 device (1.3 Ω resistance). A 60 mL disposable syringe was adapted to draw vapor from the device and deliver it into the chamber. The e-liquids used were strawberry, mint, and mango flavors, each containing 20 mg/mL of nicotine. At the end of the treatment, animals were euthanized by anesthetic overdose (xylazine and ketamine). The left testis and epididymis were collected, weighed, and analyzed for sperm concentration, daily sperm production, sperm transit time, and motility. Statistical analyses were performed using Student’s t-test (parametric) and Mann–Whitney test (nonparametric), with significance set at p < 0.05. Vaping exposure did not significantly alter any of the analyzed parameters (control vs. treated group, respectively): testis weight (1.77 ± 0.09 g vs. 1.83 ± 0.07 g); epididymis weight (1.06 ± 0.05 g vs. 1.09 ± 0.05 g); daily sperm production (39.17 ± 3.74 vs. 45.55 ± 2.56); sperm concentration in the head/body region (68.38 ± 3.65 vs. 86.23 ± 8.67) and tail region (204.40 ± 17.31 vs. 185.10 ± 13.46, in millions); sperm transit time in the head/body region (1.84 ± 0.22 vs. 1.97 ± 0.25 days) and in the tail region (5.61 ± 0.87 vs. 4.14 ± 0.36 days); as well as progressive sperm motility (56.67 ± 10.01 vs. 68.50 ± 15.02). Based on these findings, it can be concluded that short-term (4-day) exposure to electronic cigarette vapor does not directly affect sperm quality in rats. Nevertheless, further studies are required to investigate longer exposure periods and potential effects on other reproductive organs.