Home FOR AUTHORS Endocrine Regulations 2009 Endocrine Regulations Vol.43, No.4, p.141-148, 2009

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Founded: 1967
ISSN 1210-0668
E-ISSN 1336-0329

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Endocrine Regulations Vol.43, No.4, p.141-148, 2009

Title: GHRELIN AS A REGULATOR OF GONADAL FUNCTION IN ADULT MALE OFFSPRINGS EXPOSED TO CIGARETTE SMOKING IN UTERO
Author: A. Saad, O. A. Abbas

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: Ghrelin – Testosterone – LH – FSH – Maternal smoking – Pituitary gonadal axis
Year: 2009, Volume: 43, Issue: 4 Page From: 141, Page To: 148
doi:10.4149/endo_2009_04_141


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