University of Guilan Caspian Journal of Environmental Sciences 1735-3033 2023 07 01 Effects of inhaled particulate matter (PM2.5) on uterine quality in female rats as an animal model 1 12 6823 10.22124/cjes.2023.6823 EN Nazli Yazdani Karganrood Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Pejman Mortazavi Department of Pathobiology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Saeed Motesaddi Zarandi Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of public Health and safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Akram Eidi Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Journal Article 2023 07 01 Air pollution plays an important role in the health of reproduction. Studies on the destructive effects of environmental pollutants have been focused more on their effects on testicular and sperm quality, while the study on the female reproductive system has received less attention. Therefore, in this study, the effects of PM<sub>2.5</sub> on the female mice's uterine quality were assessed. A total of 24 Wistar albino rats were divided into three treatments and control for a three months’ period. Three groups were defined including healthy control (C) that used air with a clean standard condition, Treatment 1 (T<sub>1</sub>) was exposed to only gaseous pollutants, while treatment 2 (T<sub>2</sub>) to gaseous pollutants plus PM2.5. Uterus tissue was removed after dissection of rats, then the oestrogen and progesterone receptors, immunohistochemical assays, and oxidative stress activity for all groups were evaluated. The activity of enzymes involved in oxidative stress (MDA, SOD, GPx, and CAT) in the treatment and control groups were examined in mice uterus tissue after three months. T<sub>1</sub> and T<sub>2</sub> showed a statistically significant decrease in SOD, GPx, and CAT compared to control. On the other hand, T<sub>2</sub> exhibited a significant decline in these enzymes compared to T<sub>1</sub>. In the case of MDA, T<sub>1</sub> and T<sub>2</sub> displayed a significant elevation compared to control (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001) respectively, while T<sub>2</sub> indicated a significant decrease compared to T<sub>1</sub> (p < 0.01). In T<sub>2</sub>, the estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER and PR) Immunohistochemical results showed a sharp drop compared to control and T<sub>1</sub>. Serious programs should be implemented to control and reduce PM2.5 emissions in metropolitan areas. These findings may be useful to provide insights for reducing infertility disorders caused by exposure to PM2.5 or other air pollutants.   Immunohistochemical assay PM2.5 Pollution Stress oxidative Uterus https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_6823_77e742055e6ce2154a886a2728fa2ea2.pdf