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Thangaraj SV, Zeng L, Pennathur S, Lea R, Sinclair KD, Bellingham M, Evans NP, Auchus R, Padmanabhan V. Developmental programming: Impact of preconceptional and gestational exposure to a real-life environmental chemical mixture on maternal steroid, cytokine and oxidative stress milieus in sheep. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 900:165674. [PMID: 37495149 PMCID: PMC10568064 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gestational exposure to environmental chemicals (ECs) is associated with adverse, sex-specific offspring health effects of global concern. As the maternal steroid, cytokine and oxidative stress milieus can have critical effects on pregnancy outcomes and the programming of diseases in offspring, it is important to study the impact of real-life EC exposure, i.e., chronic low levels of mixtures of ECs on these milieus. Sheep exposed to biosolids, derived from human waste, is an impactful model representing the ECs humans are exposed to in real-life. Offspring of sheep grazed on biosolids-treated pasture are characterized by reproductive and metabolic disruptions. OBJECTIVE To determine if biosolids exposure disrupts the maternal steroid, cytokine and oxidative stress milieus, in a fetal sex-specific manner. METHODS Ewes were maintained before mating and through gestation on pastures fertilized with biosolids (BTP), or inorganic fertilizer (Control). From maternal plasma collected mid-gestation, 19 steroids, 14 cytokines, 6 oxidative stress markers were quantified. Unpaired t-test and ANOVA were used to test for differences between control and BTP groups (n = 15/group) and between groups based on fetal sex, respectively. Correlation between the different markers was assessed by Spearman correlation. RESULTS Concentrations of the mineralocorticoids - deoxycorticosterone, corticosterone, the glucocorticoids - deoxycortisol, cortisol, cortisone, the sex steroids - androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone, 16-OH-progesterone and reactive oxygen metabolites were higher in the BTP ewes compared to Controls, while the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-17A and anti-inflammatory IL-36RA were decreased in the BTP group. BTP ewes with a female fetus had lower levels of IP-10. DISCUSSION These findings suggest that pre-conceptional and gestational exposure to ECs in biosolids increases steroids, reactive oxygen metabolites and disrupts cytokines in maternal circulation, likely contributors to the aberrant phenotypic outcomes seen in offspring of BTP sheep - a translationally relevant precocial model.
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Affiliation(s)
- S V Thangaraj
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - L Zeng
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - S Pennathur
- Departments of Medicine and Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - R Lea
- Schools of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, UK
| | - K D Sinclair
- Schools of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, UK
| | - M Bellingham
- School of Biodiversity One Health and Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, UK
| | - N P Evans
- School of Biodiversity One Health and Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, UK
| | - R Auchus
- Departments of Pharmacology & Internal medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, & Diabetes, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - V Padmanabhan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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Souza ACF, Bastos DSS, Couto-Santos F, Guimarães-Ervilha LO, Araújo LS, Souza PHCA, Coimbra JLP, Oliveira LL, Guimarães SEF, Machado-Neves M. Long-term reproductive effects in male rats prenatally exposed to sodium arsenite. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2023; 38:1162-1173. [PMID: 36757007 DOI: 10.1002/tox.23756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Arsenic is an environmental toxicant known to be a carcinogen and endocrine disruptor. Maternal exposure to arsenic has been associated with fetus malformation and reproductive disorders in male offspring. However, it is unclear the extent to which those effects remain during postnatal development and adulthood. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the long-term effects of prenatal arsenic exposure on reproductive parameters of male offspring at peripubertal and adult periods. Pregnant female Wistar rats were exposed to 0 or 10 mg/L sodium arsenite in drinking water from gestational day 1 (GD 1) until GD 21 and male pups were analyzed at postnatal day 44 (PND 44) and PND 70. We observed that some reproductive parameters were affected differently by arsenic exposure at each age evaluated. The body and reproductive organs weights, as well as testicular and epididymal morphology were strongly affected in peripubertal animals and recovered at adult period. On the other hand, the antioxidant genes expression (SOD1, SOD2, CAT and GSTK1) and the endogenous antioxidant system were affected in the testes and epididymides from both peripubertal and adult rats. Finally, an impairment in daily sperm production and in sperm parameters was observed in adult animals. Taken together, our findings show that prenatal arsenic exposure affected reproductive parameters of peripubertal and adult male rats mainly due to oxidative stress. Collectively, those alterations may be affecting fertility potential of adult animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Cláudia F Souza
- Department of Animal Biology, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Daniel S S Bastos
- Department of General Biology, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil
| | - Felipe Couto-Santos
- Department of General Biology, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil
| | | | - Larissa S Araújo
- Department of Animal Science, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil
| | - Pedro H C A Souza
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - John L P Coimbra
- Department of General Biology, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil
- Department of Morphology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Leandro L Oliveira
- Department of General Biology, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil
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Figueiredo TM, de Barros JWF, Dos Santos Borges C, Pacheco TL, de Lima Rosa J, Anselmo-Franci JA, Kempinas WDG. Reproductive outcomes of neonatal exposure to betamethasone in male and female rats. J Appl Toxicol 2022; 43:752-763. [PMID: 36511433 DOI: 10.1002/jat.4423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Betamethasone (BM) is the drug of choice for antenatal corticosteroid therapy for women at risk of preterm delivery because it induces fetal lung maturation and enhances survival after birth. However, our group reported evidence of fetal programming and impaired reproductive development and function in rats exposed during the critical window of genital system development. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effects of BM on the sexual development of rats in the period that corresponds to antenatal corticosteroid therapy in humans. Male and female rats were exposed subcutaneously to BM at 0.1 μg/g of pups' body weight or to a NaCl 0.9% solution (control) on postnatal days 1-3. It was observed that neonatal exposure to BM decreased body weight and weight gain in male and female rats during treatment. The estrous cycle was deregulated and LH level was decreased in female rats. In male rats, the sperm concentration in the caput-corpus of the epididymis was decreased, whereas the sperm transit time and sperm concentration in the cauda of the epididymis were increased. Our results demonstrated that neonatal exposure to BM impaired body growth of male and female rats, deregulated the estrous cycle of female rats, and altered sperm quality of male rats. Therefore, BM exposure from postnatal days 1 to 3 corroborated results previously observed after prenatal exposure to this drug. Despite the recognized importance of human antenatal corticosteroid therapy, the findings of this study should encourage further studies in order to minimize possible adverse postnatal effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thamiris Moreira Figueiredo
- Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Biology and Toxicology, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Jorge Willian Franco de Barros
- Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Biology and Toxicology, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Cibele Dos Santos Borges
- Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Biology and Toxicology, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Tainá Louise Pacheco
- Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Biology and Toxicology, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Josiane de Lima Rosa
- Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Biology and Toxicology, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Janete Aparecida Anselmo-Franci
- Department of Morphology, Stomatology and Physiology, Dental School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Wilma De Grava Kempinas
- Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Biology and Toxicology, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
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Quiarato Lozano AF, Marques Tavares B, Villela E Silva P, Franco de Barros JW, Kempinas WDG. Reproductive development of male rats exposed in utero to stress and/or sertraline. Toxicol Sci 2022; 190:189-203. [PMID: 36161332 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfac100] [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: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite increased prescription of sertraline during pregnancy, little is known about its action on reproductive development. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the impact that stress, associated or not with sertraline, causes on the reproductive development of male rats. Pregnant Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups (n = 16/group): CO - received filtered water; SE - received 20 mg/kg sertraline; ST - submitted to restraint stress and received filtered water; SS - submitted to restraint stress and received sertraline. The treatment was carried out from gestational days (GD) 13 to 20. The animals were euthanized on GD 20 (n = 8/group), postnatal day (PND) 45 (n = 8/group) and PND 110 (n = 8/group). The testes and epididymis were analyzed histologically, and immunohistochemistry was performed on the testes by proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and the Wilms tumor protein (Wt1). Sperm quality was also analyzed on PND 110. The evolution of body weight, anogenital distance (AGD), and puberty installation day were also verified. Statistical analysis: Two-way ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis test (p ≤ 0.05). Fetal testes presented a large number of acidophilic cells in the sertraline-exposed groups. The SS group also showed a decrease in the nuclear volume of Leydig cells. This same group showed low expression of PCNA and Wt1, decreased weight of the testes and epididymis, lower AGD, and delayed puberty installation. The adulthood groups exposed to sertraline presented alterations in sperm morphology and motility. The results demonstrated that prenatal exposure to sertraline compromises the development of the rat reproductive system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Flávia Quiarato Lozano
- Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Biology and Toxicology, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Bruna Marques Tavares
- Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Biology and Toxicology, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Villela E Silva
- Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Biology and Toxicology, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Jorge Willian Franco de Barros
- Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Biology and Toxicology, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Wilma De Grava Kempinas
- Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Biology and Toxicology, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, SP, Brazil
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Carvalho RPR, Lima GDDA, Ribeiro FCD, Ervilha LOG, Oliveira EL, Viana AGA, Machado-Neves M. Eugenol reduces serum testosterone levels and sperm viability in adult Wistar rats. Reprod Toxicol 2022; 113:110-119. [PMID: 36007673 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2022.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
Eugenol is the main constituent of clove extract. It is a remarkably versatile molecule incorporated as a functional ingredient in several food products and widely applied in the pharmaceutical industry. Men consume natural products enriched with eugenol for treating sexual disorders and using as aphrodisiacs. Nevertheless, there is no information about the impact of eugenol intake on the reproductive parameters of healthy males. Therefore, we provided 10, 20, and 40 mg kg-1 pure eugenol to adult Wistar rats for 60 days. Testis, epididymis, and spermatozoa were analyzed under microscopic, biochemical, and functional approaches. This phenolic compound did not alter testicular and epididymal biometry and microscopy. However, 20 and 40 mg kg-1 eugenol reduced serum testosterone levels. The highest dose altered lactate and glucose concentrations in the epididymis. All the eugenol concentrations diminished CAT activity and MDA levels in the testis and increased FRAP and CAT activity in the epididymis. Epididymal sperm from rats receiving 10, 20, and 40 mg kg-1 eugenol presented high Ca2+ ATPase activity and low motility. In conclusion, eugenol at low and high doses negatively impacted the competence of epididymal sperm and modified oxidative parameters in male organs, with no influence on their microscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Graziela Domingues de Almeida Lima
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências Aplicadas à Saúde, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Fernanda Carolina Dias Ribeiro
- Departamento de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil; Departamento de Biologia Estrutural, Universidade Federal do Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | - Elizabeth Lopes Oliveira
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais 36570-900, Brazil
| | | | - Mariana Machado-Neves
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais 36570-900, Brazil; Departmento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais 36570-900, Brazil.
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Spaggiari G, Romeo M, Casarini L, Granata ARM, Simoni M, Santi D. Human fertility and sleep disturbances: A narrative review. Sleep Med 2022; 98:13-25. [PMID: 35772248 DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2022.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Many factors may be hidden behind the global fertility decline observed in Western countries. Alongside the progressively increased age of infertile couples, environmental and behavioural factors, including non-optimal lifestyle habits, should be considered. Among these, sleep disorders have been suggested to be linked to human fertility. METHODS This is a narrative review, describing first sleep physiology, its disturbances, and the tools able to quantify sleep dysfunction. Then, we consider all available studies aimed at investigating the connection between sleep disorders and human fertility, providing a comprehensive view on this topic. RESULTS Forty-two studies investigating the relationship between sleep habits and human reproduction were included. All the published evidence was grouped according to the aspect of human fertility considered, i.e. i) female reproductive functions, ii) male reproductive functions, iii) natural conception and iv) assisted reproduction. For each of the sub-groups considered, the connection between sleep dysregulation and human fertility was classified according to specific sleep characteristics, such as sleep duration, quality, and habits. In addition, possible physio-pathological mechanisms proposed to support the link between sleep and fertility were summarized. CONCLUSION This review summarizes the most relevant findings about the intricate and still largely unknown network of molecular pathways involved in the regulation of circadian homeostasis, to which sleep contributes, essential for reproductive physiology. Thus, many mechanisms seem correlate sleep disorders to reproductive health, such as adrenal activation, circadian dysregulation, and genetic influences. This review highlights the need to properly designed trials on the topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Spaggiari
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, Ospedale Civile of Baggiovara, Modena, Italy
| | - Marilina Romeo
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, Ospedale Civile of Baggiovara, Modena, Italy; Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Livio Casarini
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Antonio R M Granata
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, Ospedale Civile of Baggiovara, Modena, Italy
| | - Manuela Simoni
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, Ospedale Civile of Baggiovara, Modena, Italy; Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Daniele Santi
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, Ospedale Civile of Baggiovara, Modena, Italy; Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
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Ning W, Liao X, Dong X, Wang Y, Yang X, Xu J, Yi S, Yang Z. Protective effect of astragaloside IV on cadmium-induced spermatogenesis microenvironment damage in rats. Syst Biol Reprod Med 2021; 68:203-212. [PMID: 34711125 DOI: 10.1080/19396368.2021.1983888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The previous study using Sertoli cells cultured in vitro has shown that the protective effects of astragaloside IV (AsIV) on cadmium (Cd)-induced damage to Sertoli cells and its membrane proteins. Yet, it is not known if AsIV has an equivalent effect on Cd-induced damage to the spermatogenesis microenvironment in rats. Using an in vivo model, Cd-induced damage to the spermatogenesis microenvironment and the protective effects of AsIV were studied. Eighteen male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into three groups (n = 6/group): Cd group, Cd&AsIV group, and control group. Cd was administered to the rats in the Cd group via i.p. at 1 mg/kg body weight once daily, Cd and AsIV was administered to the rats in the Cd&AsIV group via i.p. at 1 mg/kg body weight and 10 mg/kg body weight respectively once daily, and the same volume of saline was administered to the rats in control group via i.p. once daily. The rats in the three groups were injected continuously for 5 days. Vesicular formation in the seminiferous tubules was observed in the Cd treatment group. The average optical density of claudin-11, zonal occludin-1 (ZO-1), and connexin 43 (Cx43) decreased significantly in the Cd treatment group. The ultrastructural damage of the Sertoli cells and tight junctions were also observed by electron microscopy. AsIV treatment rescued the morphologic changes of the seminiferous tubules of the testis and the ultrastructural damage of the Sertoli cells and tight junctions. The average optical density of claudin-11, ZO-1, and Cx43 also increased significantly after AsIV treatment. Cd damages the spermatogenesis microenvironment in rats, which can be rescued by AsIV treatment. These results illustrate that AsIV may also have a protective effect on Cd-induced damage to the spermatogenesis microenvironment in rats.Abbreviations: AsIV: astragaloside IV; Cd: cadmium; SD: Sprague Dawley; ZO-1: zonal occludin-1; Cx43: connexin 43; BTB: blood-testis barrier; MAPKs: mitogen-activated protein kinases; OSP: oligodendrocyte-specific protein; Cxs: connexins; GJIC: gap junctional intercellular communication; ROS: reactive oxygen species; MDA: malondialdehyde; TGF: tumor growth factor; PBS: phosphate buffer saline; BSA: bovine serum albumin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Ning
- Department of Urology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaogang Liao
- Institute of Life Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xingyou Dong
- Department of Urology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yangcai Wang
- Department of Urology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xingliang Yang
- Department of Urology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jie Xu
- Department of Urology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Shanhong Yi
- Department of Urology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhenxing Yang
- Department of Urology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Barros JWF, Tonon KS, Borges CS, Silva PV, Lozano AFQ, Pacheco TL, Anselmo-Franci JA, Kempinas WG. Short- and long-term effects on reproductive parameters of female Wistar rats after exposure to rosuvastatin starting in pre-puberty. Curr Res Toxicol 2020; 1:149-160. [PMID: 34345844 PMCID: PMC8320644 DOI: 10.1016/j.crtox.2020.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Rosuvastatin is a lipid-lowering drug that inhibits cholesterol biosynthesis. The exposure of female rats from pre-puberty to adulthood leads to alterations in estrous cycle, sexual behavior, serum prolactin levels, and weights of liver, pituitary and placenta. No alterations were found in pubertal timing, uterine and ovarian morphology, serum levels of LH, FSH, testosterone and progesterone, and reproductive performance. The alterations seem to be due disruption of hormonal signaling and to the pleiotropic effects of statins.
Statins are a class of drugs that act lowering lipid levels by inhibiting cholesterol biosynthesis. Additionally, statins can act by “pleiotropic effects”, related to the inhibition of synthesis of the other mevalonate pathway products. Rosuvastatin is a third-generation statin and has shown better results in reducing cholesterol concentrations when compared to other statins. Recent studies suggest that rosuvastatin may act as an endocrine disruptor that potentially damages the hormonal axis and, consequently reproductive development and function of male rats. However, the effects of rosuvastatin exposure on rat female reproductive parameters remain unknown. In this study female rats were exposed to rosuvastatin at the doses of 0 (control), 3, or 10 mg/Kg.bw−1/day from pre-puberty to adulthood. No alterations in the female reproductive parameters were observed at a dose of 3 mg/Kg.bw−1. However, females exposed to 10 mg/Kg.bw−1 exhibited shorter estrous cycles, altered copulatory behavior, decreased serum prolactin level, and alterations in the liver, pituitary and placental weights, parameters to some extent influenced by the reproductive hormonal axis signaling pathway. On the other hand, pubertal onset, reproductive hormone levels, fertility, and histological parameters of the ovary, uterus, and placenta were unaltered by exposure to both doses of this statin. Thus, rosuvastatin exposure, at the higher dose, altered the reproductive function of female rats, probably due to the pleiotropic effects of this statin. Additional studies on the effects of this statin on female reproductive function and development are encouraged to better characterize its mode of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge W F Barros
- Graduate Program in Cell and Structural Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Karolina S Tonon
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Institute of Biosciences, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Cibele S Borges
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Institute of Biosciences, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Patrícia V Silva
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Institute of Biosciences, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Ana F Q Lozano
- Graduate Program in Cell and Structural Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Tainá L Pacheco
- Graduate Program in Cell and Structural Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Janete A Anselmo-Franci
- Department of Morphology, Stomatology and Physiology, Dental School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Wilma G Kempinas
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Institute of Biosciences, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
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Leytes S, Haratz KK, Grin L, Shwartz T, Zohav E, Weisz B, Lipitz S, Maymon R, Bardin R, Gilboa Y, Kleiner I, Kashanian A, Lev D, Bar J, Shalev J, Gindes L. Procedure-to-delivery interval after late amniocentesis and the need for routine antenatal corticosteroids. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2020; 35:4338-4345. [PMID: 33225769 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2020.1849115] [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] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this study is to assess the procedure-to-delivery interval (PDI), the obstetric complications, and the early neonatal outcome in patients that did or did not receive glucocorticosteroids (GCSs) before third-trimester amniocentesis (TTA). METHODS A retrospectively analysis of 445 TTA procedures divided into two groups based on the administration (study group = 220 patients) or not (control group = 225 patients) of GCSs before TTA. The PDI was calculated for all patients. Obstetric and neonatal outcomes were compared between the groups. RESULTS The rate of procedure-associated complications was similar between the groups. The mean PDI was 47.2 ± 16.8 days. The overall incidence of preterm birth was 11.7%; 9% delivered between 34 and 37 weeks and 2.7% between 28 and 34 weeks. Only nine patients (2%) delivered within seven days following TTA. The incidence of respiratory distress syndrome in the study and control groups was 1.8% and 1.3%, p = .71, respectively. There were no significant differences in other neonatal outcomes in term and preterm deliveries between the study and control groups. CONCLUSIONS In the present study, the administration of glucocorticoids prior to TTA did not reduce the rates of neonatal complications, which was similar in both groups and not higher than the general population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia Leytes
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel
| | - Karina Krajden Haratz
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Ultrasound in ObGyn, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Leonti Grin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Barzilai University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheba, Israel
| | - Tomer Shwartz
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Efraim Zohav
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Barzilai University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheba, Israel
| | - Boaz Weisz
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Shlomo Lipitz
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Ron Maymon
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shamir Medical Center (Assaf Harofeh), Be'er Ya'akov, Israel
| | - Ron Bardin
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Helen Schneider Women's Hospital, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel
| | - Yinon Gilboa
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Helen Schneider Women's Hospital, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel
| | - Ilia Kleiner
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel
| | - Alon Kashanian
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Dorit Lev
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel
| | - Jacob Bar
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel
| | - Josef Shalev
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel
| | - Liat Gindes
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel
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10
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Souza ACF, Machado-Neves M, Bastos DSS, Couto Santos F, Guimarães Ervilha LO, Coimbra JLDP, Araújo LDS, Oliveira LLD, Guimarães SEF. Impact of prenatal arsenic exposure on the testes and epididymides of prepubertal rats. Chem Biol Interact 2020; 333:109314. [PMID: 33171135 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2020.109314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Arsenic is a pollutant widely found in the environment due to natural and anthropogenic sources. Exposure to arsenic forms in drinking water has been related with male reproductive dysfunctions in humans and experimental animals at adult age. However, the impact of this pollutant on postnatal reproductive development of male offspring exposed in utero to arsenic is still unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of prenatal arsenic exposure on the postnatal development of the testes and epididymides of rats, during prepuberty. For this purpose, pregnant female Wistar rats were provided drinking water containing 0 or 10 mg/L sodium arsenite (AsNaO2) from gestational day 1 (GD 1) until GD 21 and the male offspring was evaluated in different periods of prepuberty. Our results showed that prenatal arsenic exposure affected the initial sexual development of male pups, reducing their body weight and relative anogenital distance at postnatal day 1. At different periods of prepuberty, male pups from arsenic exposed dams showed a reduction of body and reproductive organs weights, testosterone levels and testis morphometric parameters. Moreover, these pups presented changes in the expression of SOD1, SOD2, CAT and GSTK1 genes and in the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione s-transferase in the testes and epididymides during prepuberty. Taken together, our results show that prenatal arsenic exposure provoked reproductive disorders in prepubertal male rats, probably due to reproductive reprograming and oxidative stress induced by this pollutant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Cláudia Ferreira Souza
- Department of Animal Biology, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Department of Animal Science, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Mariana Machado-Neves
- Department of General Biology, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | - Felipe Couto Santos
- Department of General Biology, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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11
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Disruption of Circadian Rhythms: A Crucial Factor in the Etiology of Infertility. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21113943. [PMID: 32486326 PMCID: PMC7312974 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21113943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Revised: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Infertility represents a growing health problem in industrialized countries. Thus, a greater understanding of the molecular networks involved in this disease could be critical for the development of new therapies. A recent finding revealed that circadian rhythmicity disruption is one of the main causes of poor reproductive outcome. The circadian clock system beats circadian rhythms and modulates several physiological functions such as the sleep-wake cycle, body temperature, heart rate, and hormones secretion, all of which enable the body to function in response to a 24 h cycle. This intricated machinery is driven by specific genes, called “clock genes” that fine-tune body homeostasis. Stress of modern lifestyle can determine changes in hormone secretion, favoring the onset of infertility-related conditions that might reflect disfunctions within the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis. Consequently, the loss of rhythmicity in the suprachiasmatic nuclei might affect pulsatile sexual hormones release. Herein, we provide an overview of the recent findings, in both animal models and humans, about how fertility is influenced by circadian rhythm. In addition, we explore the complex interaction among hormones, fertility and the circadian clock. A deeper analysis of these interactions might lead to novel insights that could ameliorate the therapeutic management of infertility and related disorders.
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12
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Kempinas WG, Borges CS, Leite GAA, Figueiredo TM, Gregory M, Cyr DG. Prenatal exposure to betamethasone causes intergenerational impairment of epididymal development in the rat. Andrology 2019; 7:719-729. [PMID: 31250541 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Revised: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies on epididymal toxicology are scarce. Betamethasone (BM) is a glucocorticoid used in clinical practice for antenatal therapy. We previously reported changes to testicular morphology, altered sperm quality, and fertility in adult rats following intrauterine administration of BM. OBJECTIVES Given that high levels of corticosteroids during gestation lead to fetal androgen depletion, and the essential role of testosterone during epididymal development, here we investigated epididymal morphology and physiology in the F1 and F2 male offspring of female rats treated with BM during gestation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Pregnant rats were randomly divided into two experimental groups: control (saline vehicle, n = 11) and BM-treated group (0.1 mg/kg betamethasone 21-phosphate disodium, n = 13). Rats received an intramuscular injection of vehicle or BM on gestational days 12, 13, 18, and 19. This encompasses the beginning of the critical window of male rat reproductive tract development. A subset of three males from each litter (n = 5 litters/group) was used: One rat per litter was euthanized at puberty, one was euthanized at adulthood, while the others were mated with a non-treated female to obtain the F2 generation. The same protocol described for the F1 was applied for F2, except for the mating protocol. RESULTS In both F1 and F2 generations, prenatal BM exposure resulted in delayed differentiation of the cauda epididymal epithelium, characterized by increased cribriform appearance on PND 45, and displayed weaker or non-detectable Cx43 immunostaining. Furthermore, in the F1 generation only, immunostaining of TP63, a transcription factor expressed in basal cells, appeared more intense with a greater number of TP63-positive cells observed in the cauda epididymis. In adults, the epithelial area was reduced in the F1 BM rats. The contractile activity of isolated epididymal ducts was comparable between groups. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Prenatal BM exposure leads to intergenerational impairment in the development and structure of the rat epididymis.
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Affiliation(s)
- W G Kempinas
- Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Biology and Toxicology, Morphology Department, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
| | - C S Borges
- Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Biology and Toxicology, Morphology Department, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
| | - G A A Leite
- Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Biology and Toxicology, Morphology Department, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
| | - T M Figueiredo
- Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Biology and Toxicology, Morphology Department, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
| | - M Gregory
- Laboratory for Reproductive Toxicology, INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier, University of Quebec, Laval, QC, Canada
| | - D G Cyr
- Laboratory for Reproductive Toxicology, INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier, University of Quebec, Laval, QC, Canada
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