Histological changes in the reproductive system of male rats exposed to cigarette smoke or electronic cigarette vapor

Abstract

The use of electronic cigarettes increases as a supposedly healthier form of nicotine consumption, but safety of vaping remains uncertain. In this study, we assessed whether the use of electronic cigarettes increases the risk of infertility in male rats. Malformations of sperm morphology were more frequent in nicotine-exposed groups than in the control group. Vacuolization of seminiferous epithelium, reduction of spermatogenesis, increased apoptosis of spermatogonia and spermatocytes, and acceleration of degeneration of testes were observed. The male reproductive organs are slightly less affected by vaping than by smoking. Nevertheless, in consequence both may lead to the reduction of fertility.