Nicotine induced ovarian and uterine changes in albino mice

Abstract

Nicotine at the dose level of 0.3 mg/100 g body weight was administered to normal cycling mice for 15 days through oral and intraperitoneal routes. At autopsy on 16th day significant reduction in the ovarian and uterine weight was observed. Histological observations showed decrease in the number and size of Graafian follicles, corpora lutea and increase in the atretic follicles in the ovary. The uterus showed absence of endometrial glands, decrease in the height of myometrium, endometrium and its epithelial cells. The total cholesterol content of the ovary and uterus is increased whereas the protein content is decreased. This antagonistic action of nicotine to gonadotrophins is discussed.