The cigarette smoke constituent benzo[a]pyrene disrupts metabolic enzyme, and apoptosis pathway member gene expression in ovarian follicles

• Cyp1a1 mRNA expression was significantly increased in benzo[a]pyrene treated isolated ovarian preantral/antral follicles.
• Cyp1b1, Bax and Hsp90ab1 expression was significantly increased in benzo[a]pyrene treated preovulatory follicles.
• In contrast, B[a]P treatment had no effect on StAR, Cyp11a1, aromatase, Cdk4, Cdk2, Ccnd2, cIAP2, and survivin expression.
• The AhR signaling and apoptosis pathways are important in B[a]P induced delayed follicle growth and survival.

Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) is a prototypical polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) present in cigarette smoke. We previously showed that B[a]P adversely affects follicular development and survival. The objective of this study was to identify the key molecular pathways underlying B[a]P-induced abnormal follicular development. Isolated follicles (100–130 μm) from ovaries of F1 hybrid (C57BL/6j×CBA/Ca) mice were cultured for 8 (preantral/antral follicles) and 12 (preovulatory follicles) days in increasing concentrations of B[a]P (0 ng/mL [control] to 45 ng/mL). Expression of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), aryl hydroxylase steroidogenic enzyme, cell-cycle, and apoptotic genes were quantified. B[a]P exposure significantly (P < 0.05) increased mRNA expression of Cyp1a1 in preantral/antral follicles and Cyp1b1, Bax and Hsp90ab1 in preovulatory follicles. No significant effect on mRNA expression of StAR, Cyp11a1, aromatase, Cdk4, Cdk2, Ccnd2, cIAP2, and survivin was observed. In conclusion, this study suggests that B[a]P exposure significantly affects the phase I enzymes and cell death genes during preantral/antral and preovulatory growth, and thus highlight the AhR signaling and apoptotis pathways in delayed follicle growth and decreased viability.