Crotonaldehyde-induced alterations in testicular enzyme function and hormone levels, and apoptosis in the testes of male Wistar rats are associated with oxidative damage.

Crotonaldehyde is a hazardous pollutant present in cigarette smoke and automobile exhausts that is generated by lipid peroxidation, and harmful to reproductive organs. Although we are often exposed to low doses of crotonaldehyde daily, its adverse effects on the reproductive organs have not been fully elucidated. To elucidate them, we administered crotonaldehyde (0, 2.5, 4.5, and 8.5 mg/kg) by gavage for 150 days to male Wister rats, and evaluated its effect on their testicular tissues. Body weight, testis coefficient, sperm count, and motility decreased. Reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde levels in the 8.5 and 4.5 mg/kg groups significantly increased as antioxidant enzyme activity decreased. Testicular cell apoptosis rate in the exposed groups increased. Testicular enzyme activity and reproductive hormone levels were significantly altered in the 8.5 and 4.5 mg/kg groups. Therefore, long-term exposure to crotonaldehyde may induce oxidative stress, resulting in testicular cell apoptosis, and testicular enzyme and hormone level alteration.