Cigarette smoke condensate exposure delays follicular development and function in a stage-dependent manner

ObjectiveTo determine the effects of cigarette smoke condensate (CSC) on follicular development and function from the early preantral stage through ovulation.DesignProspective laboratory study.SettingAcademic research environment.Animal(s)Female F1 hybrid (C57BL/6j×CBA/Ca) mice.Intervention(s)Mouse early preantral follicles (100–130 μm) were exposed to increasing concentrations of CSC (0 μg/mL [control] to 130 μg/mL) during in vitro growth and ovulation.Main Outcome Measure(s)Follicular development, follicle survival, gonadal steroid output, expansion of the cumulus–oocyte complex, oocyte growth, and maturation.Result(s)Cigarette smoke condensate exposure significantly inhibited follicular development in the preantral and antral stage and decreased follicle survival at 90 μg CSC/mL and higher. Estradiol output was significantly lower in CSC-exposed (90 and 130 μg/mL) follicles. Before ovulation, CSC significantly increased P output, which decreased thereafter. Cigarette smoke condensate exposure reduced cumulus–oocyte complex expansion and subsequently reduced the number of polar body oocytes.Conclusion(s)Cigarette smoke condensate exposure inhibits follicle development and leads to premature luteinization of the preovulatory follicle, with decreased oocyte maturation in a mouse isolated follicle culture system that mimics murine folliculogenesis in vivo.