The effect of exposure to PM2.5 from the cowshed environment on the ovaries of rats

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is toxic to reproduction and can cause a range of reproductive disorders. However, the underlying mechanisms of female reproductive impairment due to cowshed PM2.5 exposure are unclear. The aim of this study was the investigation of the effects of PM2.5 on rat ovaries and its molecular mechanisms. Therefore, this study established a whole-body exposure model of PM2.5 in female rats to investigate the effects of PM2.5 on the ovaries. Exposure of rats to PM2.5 using a small animal whole-body PM2.5 exposure system. The device effectively simulates the exposure of animals or humans to PM2.5 within the barn environment, thereby offering enhanced scientific reference data. To put it briefly, for 30 days, the rats were exposed to six hours a day at four times the actual ambient PM2.5 concentration. Adult rats' respiratory coefficient, single-breath volume, and respiratory frequency were used to quantify their daily exposure to PM2.5. To study the effects of PM2.5 exposure on the ovaries of rats, the rats were divided into 2 groups: rats living in clean air were the Control group (Control), which received no additional treatments, and rats exposed to PM2.5 were the PM2.5-exposed group (PM2.5).