Wang Hai-xu, Wang Xiao-yan, Zhou Dang-xia, Zheng Lie-rui, Zhang Jing, Huo Yong-wei, Tian Hong
Research Center of Reproductive Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.
Toxicol Ind Health. 2013 Aug;29(7):609-15. doi: 10.1177/0748233711430983. Epub 2012 Jan 27.
Formaldehyde (FA) is a ubiquitous environmental pollutant. However, the effects of FA exposure on reproduction are still a matter of scientific controversy. In this study, we assessed the ovarian toxicity of long-term, low-dose FA exposure in rats and explored the potential oxidative stress mechanisms. A total of 30 Sprague-Dawley female rats were randomly allotted to three groups, in which rats were exposed to FA at a dose of 0 mg/m(3) (control), 0.5 mg/m(3) and 2.46 mg/m(3), respectively, by inhalation consecutively for 60 days. The results showed that the ovarian toxicity of FA is dose dependent. Ovarian structure and function in the group of rats exposed to 0.5 mg/m(3) FA showed no obvious difference when compared with those in the control group. However, the activity of superoxide dismutase was significantly decreased, whereas the level of malondialdehyde was significantly increased in ovaries of rats exposed to 2.46 mg/m(3) FA. Moreover, histopathological results demonstrated that the number and size of mature follicles significantly decreased, vascular congestion and interstitial edema in the ovaries of rats exposed to 2.46 mg/m(3) FA. In conclusion, this study may suggest that the FA level of 0.5 mg/m(3) can be considered as a safe level for FA exposure, but long-term FA exposure at a dose of 2.46 mg/m(3) has a harmful effect on ovary by inducing oxidative stress.
甲醛（FA）是一种普遍存在的环境污染物。然而，接触FA对生殖的影响仍是科学上存在争议的问题。在本研究中，我们评估了长期低剂量FA暴露对大鼠卵巢的毒性，并探讨了潜在的氧化应激机制。总共30只Sprague-Dawley雌性大鼠被随机分为三组，分别通过吸入连续60天暴露于剂量为0 mg/m³（对照组）、0.5 mg/m³和2.46 mg/m³的FA中。结果表明，FA的卵巢毒性具有剂量依赖性。与对照组相比，暴露于0.5 mg/m³ FA组的大鼠卵巢结构和功能无明显差异。然而，暴露于2.46 mg/m³ FA的大鼠卵巢中超氧化物歧化酶活性显著降低，而丙二醛水平显著升高。此外，组织病理学结果显示，暴露于2.46 mg/m³ FA的大鼠卵巢中成熟卵泡的数量和大小显著减少，出现血管充血和间质水肿。总之，本研究可能表明，0.5 mg/m³的FA水平可被视为FA暴露的安全水平，但长期暴露于2.46 mg/m³的FA会通过诱导氧化应激对卵巢产生有害影响。
