Unraveling the Impact of Long-Term Sevoflurane Inhalation on Female Reproductive Health

You might be familiar with sevoflurane as an anesthetic. But how does it affect the female reproductive system over time? A study on rats revealed some worrying findings. Researchers divided 60 female rats into four groups and exposed them to different levels of sevoflurane: 0 ppm, 50 ppm, 150 ppm, and 300 ppm. They noticed that the pregnancy rates, number of offspring, and body weight were significantly lower in the groups exposed to sevoflurane. On the other hand, the estrous cycle was shorter, and the estrus interval longer. The researchers also found that the ovaries and uterus were smaller, and there were changes in tissue that indicated damage.Moreover, the rats exposed to sevoflurane had lower levels of SOD, which helps protect cells from damage, and higher levels of MDA, which increases cell damage. There was also a higher expression of genes linked to cell death (Bcl2 and Bax) and immune response (IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α). This shows that long-term inhalation of sevoflurane can harm the female reproductive system and decrease fertility. Why? Because it causes oxidative stress and triggers apoptosis, or cell death.