Lead exposure activates the Nrf2/Keap1 pathway, aggravates oxidative stress, and induces reproductive damage in female mice

Lead, a common metallic contaminant, is widespread in the living environment, and has deleterious effects on the reproductive systems of humans and animals. Although numerous toxic effects of lead have been reported, the effects and underlying mechanisms of the impacts of lead exposure on the female reproductive system, especially oocyte maturation and fertility, remain unknown. In this study, mice were treated by gavage for seven days to evaluate the reproductive damage and role of Nrf2-mediated defense responses during lead exposure. Lead exposure significantly reduced the maturation and fertilization of oocytes in vivo. Additionally, lead exposure triggered oxidative stress with a decreased glutathione level, increased amount of reactive oxygen species, and abnormal mitochondrial distribution. Moreover, lead exposure caused histopathological and ultrastructural changes in oocytes and ovaries, along with decreases in the activities of catalase, glutathione peroxidase, total superoxide dismutase, and glutathione-S transferase, and increases in the levels of malonaldehyde in mouse ovaries. Further experiments demonstrated that lead exposure activated the Nrf2 signaling pathway to protect oocytes against oxidative stress by enhancing the transcription levels of antioxidant enzymes. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that lead activates the Nrf2/Keap1 pathway and impairs oocyte maturation and fertilization by inducing oxidative stress, leading to a decrease in the fertility of female mice. [Display omitted] •Lead exposure disrupts the structure of mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum.•Lead exposure causes more atretic follicles and damaged organelle in mice ovaries.•Lead exposure affects reactive oxygen species levels, glutathione levels, and abnormal mitochondrial distribution.•Lead exposure reduces the rates of maturation, fertilization and blastocyst.•Lead exposure causes oxidative stress in oocytes and activates Nrf2/Keap1 pathway.