Ghrelin as a regulator of gonadal function in adult male offsprings exposed to cigarette smoking in utero.

OBJECTIVE

This study was carried out to evaluate serum and testicular ghrelin levels and to find whether it is related to pituitary-gonadal axis in adult male offsprings exposed to cigarette smoking in utero.

METHODS

Adult male Sprague Dawley rats were divided in two groups: 1. 20 rats born to mothers exposed to cigarette smoking (CS) during pregnancy (CSE group); 2. 20 rats born to normal non exposed pregnant rats (control group). Ghrelin concentration was determined by ELISA in the sera and testicular tissue of adult offsprings and also in sera of their mothers. Serum and testicular testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) were evaluated using chemiluminescence immunoassay in adult male rats. In male offspring also the body weight and testicular weight was measured.

RESULTS

Significantly higher ghrelin levels were found in serum and testicular homogenates of CSE male rats and also in sera of their mothers when compared to controls (p<0.001). Moreover, in CSE male rats the body weight, testicular weight, serum and testicular testosterone as well as serum LH and FSH were significantly lower than these in controls (p<0.001). Significant positive correlation was found between serum and testicular ghrelin in CSE group, while, in contrast, the correlations between serum ghrelin level and the other studied parameters in the same group were significantly negative.

CONCLUSION

The data obtained supported the view that ghrelin operates as a modifier of pituitary-gonadal axis. Hyperghrelinemia as a result of maternal smoking during pregnancy may contribute to the suppression of male reproductive function. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of ghrelin after quitting smoking.