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

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of cigarette smoke condensate (CSC) on follicular development and function from the early preantral stage through ovulation. DESIGN: Prospective laboratory study. SETTING: Academic 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.