The effects of experimental exposure of mice to water pipe smoke on the reproductive system: the ameliorative actions of some agents

Water - pipe smoking (WPS) is common in the Middle East, and now also gaining popularity in the West as well, especially among the youth. Water-pipe (WP) smoke in humans, and animal models have serious adverse effects on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems and in causing cancer. In some Arab countries, WPS is more common among females (even pregnant women) than cigarettes. In the Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) countries WPS use is accelerating, posing serious health threats. Despite its scientific and public health importance, little attention has been given to the effects of WP smoke on reproduction and fertility. This proposed research aims to fill that gap by substantially extending our preliminary published data that showed adverse effects of WP smoke on some aspects of male reproduction in male mice. We plan to study reproductive indices in male and female mice exposed for different periods to WP smoke, and assess fertility, plasma concentration of the reproductive hormones, and the inflammatory and oxidative and nitro- stress indices the reproductive organs, as well as the light and electron microscopic pictures of these organs of the experimental mice. Molecular indicators of injury of these organs will also be included. Lastly, we will investigate the possible ameliorative actions of some safe natural products in exposed mice. The results of the work will aid in providing deeper understanding of the mechanisms of the deleterious effects of WP smoke on reproductive organs and will aid in the search for agents that may be used by humans to mitigate these actions.