Ovarian follicular atresia and uterine toxicity after subchronic oral exposure of postpubertal rats to sodium arsenite

Abstract

Exposure to inorganic arsenic is a notable health issue featuring several incidents of female reproductive dysfunctions. This study was designed to explore the extent of damages of sodium arsenite on female reproductive system of rats. Forty adult Wistar nulliparous rats having 3 months of age were grouped into four where the treated groups (Gr II, III, and IV) were gavaged with sodium arsenite (1, 3, and 5 mg/kg/day, respectively) for 30 consecutive days and a vehicle-fed group (Gr I) served as control. The treatment resulted in decrease of body weight (Gr III and IV) and weight of ovary and uterus (Gr II, III, and IV). Marked decrease of the pre-antrum, antral, and Graafian follicle pools with concomitant enhancement of follicular atresia (Gr III and IV) was noted but primordial and primary follicle pools remained unaltered. Compromised antioxidant defense in both the tissues was noted by altered enzymatic and non-enzymatic markers. The toxicity also resulted in the reduction of serum estradiol, LH, FSH and prolonged diestrus index. Alterations of uterine histoarchitecture with marked presence of shrunken endometrial glands, apoptotic bodies in the epithelium, and degenerated perimetrium were also noted. Elevated oxidative stress was further documented by increased presence of ROS in both the tissues. The subchronic exposure of sodium arsenite at higher doses caused progressive damages of folliculogenesis and uterine degeneration. This study demonstrates that the reproductive system of female rats is a target to sodium arsenite–induced ROS generation at higher doses.