Evaluation of Some Reproductive Hormones of Female Wistar Rats Exposed to Water Pipe Tobacco

Abstract

Water pipe tobacco (shisha) smoking has gained increasing popularity, particularly among young females under the misconception that it is less harmful than cigarette smoking. Despite growing evidence of its adverse health effects, limited information exists on its impact on female reproductive hormones. This study evaluated the effects of water pipe tobacco smoke on selected reproductive hormones of female Wistar rats. Twenty-five adult female Wistar rats (120–150g) were randomly assigned into five groups: a control group with no exposure, and four experimental groups exposed to shisha smoke for 10 or 20 minutes daily for periods of 2 or 4 weeks. Serum concentrations of estrogen, progesterone, and prolactin were determined using standard methods. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance followed by post hoc LSD, with statistical significance set at P≤ 0.05. The results showed a significant alteration in reproductive hormone levels in shisha-exposed groups compared to the control. Estrogen levels increased in moderately and highly exposed groups, while progesterone and prolactin levels significantly decreased across all exposure groups. Estrogen levels varied across groups, with a decrease observed in Group 2 (54.00 ± 4.26 pg/ml) compared to the control (65.33 ± 5.68 pg/ml), while Groups 3, 4, and 5 exhibited elevated levels (86.33 ± 4.04, 71.00 ± 6.00, and 76.33 ± 4.04 pg/ml, respectively). Progesterone levels were markedly reduced in all exposed groups (7.60 ± 4.68, 10.46 ± 1.12, 10.86 ± 1.95, and 13.20 ± 3.06 ng/ml) relative to the control group (27.26 ± 5.45 ng/ml), with statistically significant differences (p ≤ 0.05). Similarly, prolactin concentrations significantly decreased in all treated groups (ranging from 0.63 ± 0.10 to 0.73 ± 0.10 ng/ml) compared to the control (1.60 ± 0.62 ng/ml). These findings suggest that exposure to water pipe tobacco smoke disrupts hormonal balance in female Wistar rats, potentially impairing reproductive function. The study highlights the endocrine-disrupting potential of shisha smoking and underscores the need for increased public health awareness regarding its reproductive health risks.