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Hashimoto K, Arakawa H, Imamura R, Nishimura T, Kitajima S, Sato T, Makiyama K, Ogawa T, Yokota S. A novel alternative method for long-term evaluation of male reproductive toxicity and its recovery using a pre-pubertal mouse testis organ culture system. J Appl Toxicol 2024; 44:784-793. [PMID: 38262615 DOI: 10.1002/jat.4584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Successful treatment of pediatric cancers often results in long-term health complications, including potential effects on fertility. Therefore, assessing the male reproductive toxicity of anti-cancer drug treatments and the potential for recovery is of paramount importance. However, in vivo evaluations are time-intensive and require large numbers of animals. To overcome these constraints, we utilized an innovative organ culture system that supports long-term spermatogenesis by placing the testis tissue between a base agarose gel and a polydimethylsiloxane ceiling, effectively mirroring the in vivo testicular environment. The present study aimed to determine the efficacy of this organ culture system for accurately assessing testicular toxicity induced by cisplatin, using acrosin-green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgenic neonatal mouse testes. The testis fragments were treated with different concentrations of cisplatin-containing medium for 24 h and incubated in fresh medium for up to 70 days. The changes in tissue volume and GFP fluorescence over time were evaluated to monitor the progression of spermatogenesis, in addition to the corresponding histopathology. Cisplatin treatment caused tissue volume shrinkage and reduced GFP fluorescence in a concentration-dependent manner. Recovery from testicular toxicity was also dependent on the concentration of cisplatin received. The results demonstrated that this novel in vitro system can be a faithful replacement for animal experiments to assess the testicular toxicity of anti-cancer drugs and their reversibility, providing a useful method for drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiyoshi Hashimoto
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Arakawa
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Rikako Imamura
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Takuya Nishimura
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Toxicology, Center for Biological Safety and Research, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Satoshi Kitajima
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Toxicology, Center for Biological Safety and Research, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Takuya Sato
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Kazuhide Makiyama
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Takehiko Ogawa
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Satoshi Yokota
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Toxicology, Center for Biological Safety and Research, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
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Hashimoto K, Odaka H, Ishikawa-Yamauchi Y, Nagata S, Nakamura H, Kimura H, Sato T, Makiyama K, Ogawa T. Culture-space control is effective in promoting haploid cell formation and spermiogenesis in vitro in neonatal mice. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12354. [PMID: 37524742 PMCID: PMC10390558 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-39323-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The classical organ culture method, in which tissue is placed at the gas‒liquid interphase, is effective at inducing mouse spermatogenesis. However, due to reginal variations in the supply of oxygen and nutrients within a tissue, the progress of spermatogenesis was observed only in limited areas of a tissue. In addition, haploid cell formation and its differentiation to spermatozoon, i.e. spermiogenesis, were infrequent and inefficient. Here, we show that the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-chip ceiling (PC) method, which ensures a uniform supply of nutrients and oxygen throughout the tissue by pressing it into a thin, flat shape, can provide control over the culture space. We used this method to culture testis tissue from neonatal mice, aged 1 to 4 days, and found that modulating the culture space during the experiment by replacing one chip with another that had a higher ceiling effectively increased tissue growth. This adjustment also induced more efficient spermatogenesis, with the process of spermiogenesis being particularly promoted. Meiotic cells were observed from culture day 14 onward, and haploid cells were confirmed at the end of each experiment. This technique was also shown to be a sensitive assay for testicular toxicity. Culture-space control will be a critical regulation parameter for sophisticated tissue culture experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiyoshi Hashimoto
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Hisakazu Odaka
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
| | | | - Shino Nagata
- Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Hiroko Nakamura
- Micro/Nano Technology Center, Tokai University, Hiratsuka, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kimura
- Micro/Nano Technology Center, Tokai University, Hiratsuka, Japan
| | - Takuya Sato
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Kazuhide Makiyama
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Takehiko Ogawa
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan.
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Different fixatives influence morphology, antigen preservation, and TUNEL staining in chicken (Gallus gallus) testis. Acta Histochem 2021; 123:151822. [PMID: 34861475 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2021.151822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The optimized fixative for testis is still controversial. This study investigated the effects of Modified Davidson's Fluid (mDF), 4% Paraformaldehyde (4% PFA), and Bouin's Fluid (BF) fixatives on chicken testes in normal/cadmium (Cd) feeding groups using hematoxylin and eosin (HE), immunohistochemistry (IHC), and Terminal Transferase dUTP Nick End Labeling (TUNEL) staining. Compared to the mDF, we established that the testes fixed with 4% PFA and BF in the normal group had severe shrinkage in tubular and interstitial compartments. Moreover, compared with 4% PFA, the number of GATA4-positive Sertoli cells/mm2 reduced by 67.61% in mDF and 80.57% in BF for one seminiferous tubule. The TUNEL assay illustrated that more positive cells/mm2 in mDF group (28.47 ± 11.38) than in 4% PFA (10.49 ± 7.89). In Cd-treated testes, mDF showed more morphological details than 4% PFA and BF. In contrast, the number of GATA4-positive Sertoli cells/mm2 of 4% PFA was higher than that of mDF by 65.78% and BF by 64.80% in a seminiferous tubule. The number of TUNEL positive cells/mm2 in mDF (272.60 ± 34.41) were higher than in 4% PFA (175.91 ± 19.87). These results suggest that mDF fixative is suitable for normal and Cd-treated testis fixation for HE and TUNEL staining in chicken, whereas 4% PFA fixative is better for IHC examination.
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Mohammadzadeh M, Pourentezari M, Zare-Zardini H, Nabi A, Esmailabad SG, Khodadadian A, Talebi AR. The effects of sesame oil and different doses of estradiol on testicular structure, sperm parameters, and chromatin integrity in old mice. Clin Exp Reprod Med 2021; 48:34-42. [PMID: 33648043 PMCID: PMC7943348 DOI: 10.5653/cerm.2020.03524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Studies of the effects of estrogens on the male reproductive system have emphasized the role of these hormones in male fertility. Sesame oil has many phytoestrogenic compounds and may improve male fertility. This study investigated the effects of sesame oil and different concentrations of estrogen on sperm parameters and DNA integrity in male mice. Methods Twenty old NMRI (The Naval Medical Research Institute) male mice (40 weeks; weight, 30–35 g) were treated with sesame oil or different concentrations of estrogen (estradiol, 1 and 10 μL/kg/day) or received no treatment (controls). After 35 days, sperm parameters and DNA integrity were assessed and analyzed. Results Sperm count, progressive motility, and morphology were decreased in the group that received 10 μL/kg of estradiol. A remarkably lower percentage of DNA fragmentation and protamine deficiency were detected in the group that received 1 μL/kg of estradiol. In the groups that received sesame oil and 1 μL/kg of estradiol, the numbers of spermatogonia and Leydig cells were higher than in controls. The combination of sesame oil and 1 μL/kg of estradiol led to improved sperm parameters and chromatin and testicular structure. Conclusion Based on this study, consumption of sesame oil and a low concentration of estradiol may improve testicular function in older mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masoomeh Mohammadzadeh
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute, Research and Clinical Center for Infertility, Yazd, Iran
| | - Majid Pourentezari
- Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Hadi Zare-Zardini
- Department of Hematology and Oncology Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.,Department of Sciences, Farhangian University, Isfahan, Iran.,Medical Nanotechnology and Tissue Engineering Research Center, Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute, Yazd, Iran
| | - Ali Nabi
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute, Research and Clinical Center for Infertility, Yazd, Iran
| | - Saeed Ghasemi Esmailabad
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute, Research and Clinical Center for Infertility, Yazd, Iran
| | - Ali Khodadadian
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Ali Reza Talebi
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute, Research and Clinical Center for Infertility, Yazd, Iran
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Lopes F, Tholeti P, Adiga SK, Anderson RA, Mitchell RT, Spears N. Chemotherapy induced damage to spermatogonial stem cells in prepubertal mouse in vitro impairs long-term spermatogenesis. Toxicol Rep 2020; 8:114-123. [PMID: 33425685 PMCID: PMC7782321 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2020.12.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy can affect testis development of young boys with cancer, reducing the chances of fatherhood in adulthood. Studies using experimental models are needed to determine the damage caused by individual chemotherapy drugs in order to predict the risk of infertility and direct patients towards appropriate fertility preservation options. Here, we investigated the individual role of two drugs, cisplatin and doxorubicin, using an in vitro culture model of prepubertal (postnatal day 5) mouse testis that supports induction and maintenance of full spermatogenesis. Twenty-four hour exposure with either drug at clinically-relevant doses (0.25, 0.5 or 0.75 μg/mL for cisplatin, or 0.01, 0.03 or 0.05 μg/mL for doxorubicin), induced an acute significant loss of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs; PLZF+), proliferating SSCs (PLZF+BrdU+), total germ cells (MVH+), and spermatocytes (SCP3+) one week after chemotherapy exposure. By the time of the first (Week 4) and second (Week 8) waves of spermatogenesis, there was no longer any effect on SSC or proliferating SSC numbers in drug-exposed testis compared to untreated tissue: however, the populations of total germ cells and spermatocytes were still lower in the higher-dose cisplatin treated groups, along with a reduced frequency of round and elongated spermatids in both cisplatin- and doxorubicin-treated testis fragments. Overall, this study details a direct impairment of germ cell development following acute chemotherapy-induced damage during the prepubertal phase, most likely due to an effect on SSCs, using an in vitro culture system that successfully recapitulates key events of mouse spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Lopes
- Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Prathima Tholeti
- Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Department of Clinical Embryology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Satish K. Adiga
- Department of Clinical Embryology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | | | - Rod T. Mitchell
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Norah Spears
- Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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Nakamura N, Sloper DT. Comparison of germ cell differentiation of rat testis fragments cultured in knockout serum replacement versus Albumax™ I. Birth Defects Res 2020; 113:359-370. [PMID: 33348473 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spermatogenesis complexity makes reliable in vitro testis model development challenging. Previously, we evaluated an in vitro mouse testis organ culture system for assessing testicular toxicity. However, rat models are commonly used for drug/chemical toxicity testing; therefore, we assessed the effects of media on germ cell differentiation in cultured rat testis fragments. METHODS Testes from postnatal day 5 Sprague-Dawley (Hsd:SD) rats were cultured in knockout serum replacement (KSR) or Albumax™ I (Albumax) medium. For testis morphology and germ cell differentiation, rat testis fragments were collected on days 20, 27, 35, 42, 49, and 63 of culture for histology/immunohistochemistry using antibodies to spermatogenesis-specific markers. The fragments collected on days 20, 27, 42, 49, and 63 were used for qPCR. RESULTS Pachytene spermatocyte (PS) differentiation was observed in rat testis fragments cultured in KSR and Albumax. However, there were more seminiferous tubules (STs) with PS in rat testis fragments cultured in Albumax than in KSR. Over 60% of STs with germ cell differentiation were observed in rat testis fragments when cultured in Albumax on days 20, 27, and 35, whereas this figure showed only on day 20 when cultured in KSR. CONCLUSIONS This study found only PS differentiation in rat testis fragments. Compared to KSR, Albumax appears to contribute to increased PS production. This in vitro rat testis organ culture system may be useful for assessing testicular toxicity. However, PS differentiation per ST is lower in rat testis fragments; further studies are required to improve this rat testis organ culture system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noriko Nakamura
- Division of Systems Biology, National Center for Toxicological Research, Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, Arkansas, USA
| | - Daniel T Sloper
- Division of Systems Biology, National Center for Toxicological Research, Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, Arkansas, USA
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Anwar N, Qureshi IZ, Spears N, Lopes F. In vitro administration of sodium arsenite in mouse prepubertal testis induces germ cell loss and apoptosis. Toxicol In Vitro 2020; 67:104924. [PMID: 32599264 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2020.104924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
High levels of arsenic contamination in drinking water pose serious health risks in numerous countries. The documentation reporting arsenic toxicity on reproduction and development is increasing, with evidence of arsenic inducing fertility and developmental issues. Nonetheless, the impact of arsenic exposure on the development of the male reproductive system is not fully elucidated. In the present study, we have investigated the direct effects of arsenic on prepubertal mouse testis using an in vitro testicular organ culture system. Culture medium was supplemented with a range of concentrations of sodium arsenite, examining effects of low (0.5 and 1 μM) and high (10, 50, 100 μM) concentrations, in cultures of post-natal day 5 CD1 mouse testis. In vitro exposure of low arsenic concentrations (0.5 or 1 μM) for 6 days did not cause any change in the testicular morphology, germ cells density, or apoptotic marker cleaved caspase 3 (CC3) expression. In contrast, exposure of prepubertal testis to high arsenic concentrations (10, 50 or 100 μM) induced drastic changes: severe destruction of testicular morphology, with loss of seminiferous tubule integrity; a dose-dependent decrease in germ cell density, and a hundred-fold increase in CC3 expression after 50 μM arsenic exposure. In conclusion, high arsenic treatment induced a dose-dependent induction of apoptosis and germ cell loss in prepubertal mouse testis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naureen Anwar
- Quaid-i-Azam University, Department of Animal Sciences, Laboratory of Animal and Human Physiology, PO Box 45320, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Irfan Zia Qureshi
- Quaid-i-Azam University, Department of Animal Sciences, Laboratory of Animal and Human Physiology, PO Box 45320, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Norah Spears
- University of Edinburgh, School of Biomedical Sciences, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Federica Lopes
- University of Edinburgh, School of Biomedical Sciences, Edinburgh, United Kingdom..
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Park HJ, Zhang M, Lee WY, Hong KH, Do JT, Park C, Song H. Toxic Effects of Nonylphenol on Neonatal Testicular Development in Mouse Organ Culture. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E3491. [PMID: 32429066 PMCID: PMC7279013 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21103491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonylphenol (NP) is an alkylphenol that is widely used in chemical manufacturing. Exposure to this toxic environmental contaminant has been shown to negatively affect the reproductive system. Herein, we evaluated the toxicity of NP in mouse testes, while using in vitro organ culture. Mouse testicular fragments (MTFs), derived from five-day postpartum neonatal mouse testes, were exposed to different concentrations of NP (1-50 μM) for 30 days. The results showed that NP impaired germ cell development and maintenance. Furthermore, NP significantly downregulated the transcript levels of both undifferentiated and differentiated germ cell marker genes relative to those in controls. In particular, a high dose of NP (50 µM) led to complete germ cell depletion and resulted in spermatogenic failure, despite the presence of Sertoli and Leydig cells. In addition, the mRNA expression of steroidogenic enzymes, such as steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (STAR), Cytochrome P450 Family 11 Subfamily A Member 1 (Cyp11α1), Cytochrome P450 17A1 (Cyp17α1), and androgen receptor (AR), increased with increasing concentration of NP. Conversely, the expression of estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1) and Cytochrome P450 family 19 subfamily A member 1 (Cyp19α1) in NP-exposed MTFs decreased when compared to that of the control. Taken together, this study demonstrates that NP has a negative effect on prepubertal spermatogenesis and germ cell maintenance and it disrupts steroidogenesis and induces hormonal imbalance in MTFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun-Jung Park
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Konkuk University, 1 Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Korea; (H.-J.P.); (M.Z.); (K.-H.H.); (J.T.D.); (C.P.)
| | - Mingtian Zhang
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Konkuk University, 1 Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Korea; (H.-J.P.); (M.Z.); (K.-H.H.); (J.T.D.); (C.P.)
| | - Won-Young Lee
- Department of Beef Science, Korea National College of Agricultures and Fisheries, Jeonju-si, Jeonbuk 54874, Korea;
| | - Kwon-Ho Hong
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Konkuk University, 1 Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Korea; (H.-J.P.); (M.Z.); (K.-H.H.); (J.T.D.); (C.P.)
| | - Jeong Tae Do
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Konkuk University, 1 Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Korea; (H.-J.P.); (M.Z.); (K.-H.H.); (J.T.D.); (C.P.)
| | - Chankyu Park
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Konkuk University, 1 Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Korea; (H.-J.P.); (M.Z.); (K.-H.H.); (J.T.D.); (C.P.)
| | - Hyuk Song
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Konkuk University, 1 Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Korea; (H.-J.P.); (M.Z.); (K.-H.H.); (J.T.D.); (C.P.)
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Sun J, Beger RD, Sloper DT, Nakamura N. Metabolomics-based pathway changes in testis fragments treated with ethinylestradiol in vitro. Birth Defects Res 2019; 111:1643-1654. [PMID: 31347792 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Revised: 07/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a need to develop in vitro models to test drugs and chemicals that induce toxicity in the male reproductive system. We have evaluated an in vitro mouse testis organ culture model capable of producing viable, fertilization-proven sperm as a possible toxicity test model. Although this in vitro model was limited to round spermatid differentiation, histopathology observations could still be performed. Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis (LC/MS)-based metabolomics was used to measure metabolome changes of chemically treated in vitro testis fragments. METHODS On Postnatal Day 5, C57BL/6J mouse testes were divided into four fragments, which were placed onto a 1.5% agarose gel cube and cultured in α-MEM including 0.4% AlbuMAX I (Day 0). On Day 1 of culture, testis fragments were treated with 0 (control), 0.01, or 1 nM ethinylestradiol (EE). On Day 20 of culture, the testis fragments were collected for LC/MS and histology analysis. RESULTS Several metabolites involved in glycogen metabolism and glycolysis pathways (uridine diphosphate-glucose, glucose phosphate, and pyruvate), in the tricarboxylic acid cycle pathway (oxaloacetate and aspartate), and in the arginine and proline metabolism (arginine and spermine) were significantly altered in the 1 nM EE treated group compared to the control group. The metabolite changes were associated with an increase in percentage of seminiferous tubules with round spermatids as well as dose-dependent dead cells. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that EE treatment may cause testicular toxicity by affecting glycogen metabolism and energy pathways. To confirm these findings, further experiments will be necessary using other testicular toxicants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinchun Sun
- Division of Systems Biology, National Center for Toxicological Research, Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, Arkansas
| | - Richard D Beger
- Division of Systems Biology, National Center for Toxicological Research, Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, Arkansas
| | - Daniel T Sloper
- Division of Systems Biology, National Center for Toxicological Research, Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, Arkansas
| | - Noriko Nakamura
- Division of Systems Biology, National Center for Toxicological Research, Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, Arkansas
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Nakamura N, Sloper DT, Del Valle PL. Gene expression profiling of cultured mouse testis fragments treated with ethinylestradiol. J Toxicol Sci 2019; 44:667-679. [PMID: 31588058 DOI: 10.2131/jts.44.667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
The assessment of xenobiotic-induced testicular toxicity is important in drug development. Nonetheless, in vitro models to test drugs and chemicals that may cause testicular toxicity are lacking, requiring the continued use of animal models for those studies. We previously evaluated an in vitro mouse testis organ culture system using ethinylestradiol (EE), a well-studied testicular toxicant, and demonstrated a dose-dependent relationship between adverse effects to germ cell differentiation and increasing EE concentrations. However, we terminated that study after 20 days of culture due to oxygen deficiency during germ cell differentiation. Therefore, in the current study, we aimed to identify gene(s) with potential for supporting the histopathological evaluations of testicular toxicity using in vitro testis organ culture system. We cultured testis fragments obtained from mice at postnatal day (PND) 5 in α-Minimal Essential Medium containing 40 mg/mL AlbuMAX™ I and treated them with 0.01 or 1 nM EE on day 1 of culture. On day 20, we collected testis fragments for RNA sequencing analysis and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). We found that phospholipase C, zeta 1 and testis-specific serine kinase 4 genes, that are involved in spermatogenesis and predominantly expressed in the testis, were significantly reduced in testis fragments treated with the highest concentration of EE. Also, cytochrome P450, family 26, subfamily b, polypeptide 1 (Cyp26b1) and interleukin 16 (Il16) were up-regulated in the highest EE-treated groups. Further studies are needed to confirm the variations of these gene expression using other testicular toxicants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noriko Nakamura
- Division of Systems Biology, National Center for Toxicological Research, Food and Drug Administration, USA
| | - Daniel T Sloper
- Division of Systems Biology, National Center for Toxicological Research, Food and Drug Administration, USA
| | - Pedro L Del Valle
- Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, USA
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Sakib S, Voigt A, Goldsmith T, Dobrinski I. Three-dimensional testicular organoids as novel in vitro models of testicular biology and toxicology. ENVIRONMENTAL EPIGENETICS 2019; 5:dvz011. [PMID: 31463083 PMCID: PMC6705190 DOI: 10.1093/eep/dvz011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Revised: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Organoids are three dimensional structures consisting of multiple cell types that recapitulate the cellular architecture and functionality of native organs. Over the last decade, the advent of organoid research has opened up many avenues for basic and translational studies. Following suit of other disciplines, research groups working in the field of male reproductive biology have started establishing and characterizing testicular organoids. The three-dimensional architectural and functional similarities of organoids to their tissue of origin facilitate study of complex cell interactions, tissue development and establishment of representative, scalable models for drug and toxicity screening. In this review, we discuss the current state of testicular organoid research, their advantages over conventional monolayer culture and their potential applications in the field of reproductive biology and toxicology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadman Sakib
- Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Canada
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Canada
| | - Anna Voigt
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Canada
| | - Taylor Goldsmith
- Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Canada
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Canada
| | - Ina Dobrinski
- Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Canada
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Canada
- Correspondence address. Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Room 404, Heritage Medical Research Building, 3300 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada. Tel: 4032106523; Fax: 4032108821; E-mail:
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Arzuaga X, Smith MT, Gibbons CF, Skakkebæk NE, Yost EE, Beverly BEJ, Hotchkiss AK, Hauser R, Pagani RL, Schrader SM, Zeise L, Prins GS. Proposed Key Characteristics of Male Reproductive Toxicants as an Approach for Organizing and Evaluating Mechanistic Evidence in Human Health Hazard Assessments. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2019; 127:65001. [PMID: 31199676 PMCID: PMC6792367 DOI: 10.1289/ehp5045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Revised: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Assessing chemicals for their potential to cause male reproductive toxicity involves the evaluation of evidence obtained from experimental, epidemiological, and mechanistic studies. Although mechanistic evidence plays an important role in hazard identification and evidence integration, the process of identifying, screening and analyzing mechanistic studies and outcomes is a challenging exercise due to the diversity of research models and methods and the variety of known and proposed pathways for chemical-induced toxicity. Ten key characteristics of carcinogens provide a valuable tool for organizing and assessing chemical-specific data by potential mechanisms for cancer-causing agents. However, such an approach has not yet been developed for noncancer adverse outcomes. OBJECTIVES The objective in this study was to identify a set of key characteristics that are frequently exhibited by exogenous agents that cause male reproductive toxicity and that could be applied for identifying, organizing, and summarizing mechanistic evidence related to this outcome. DISCUSSION The identification of eight key characteristics of male reproductive toxicants was based on a survey of known male reproductive toxicants and established mechanisms and pathways of toxicity. The eight key characteristics can provide a basis for the systematic, transparent, and objective organization of mechanistic evidence relevant to chemical-induced effects on the male reproductive system. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP5045.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xabier Arzuaga
- National Center for Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Martyn T. Smith
- University of California, Berkeley, School of Public Health, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Catherine F. Gibbons
- National Center for Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Niels E. Skakkebæk
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Erin E. Yost
- National Center for Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Brandiese E. J. Beverly
- Office of Health Assessment and Translation, National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Andrew K. Hotchkiss
- National Center for Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Russ Hauser
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rodrigo L. Pagani
- Department of Urology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Steven M. Schrader
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA (retired)
| | - Lauren Zeise
- Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, California Environmental Protection Agency, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Gail S. Prins
- Department of Urology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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