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Saaristo M, Craft JA, Tyagi S, Johnstone CP, Allinson M, Ibrahim KS, Wong BBM. Transcriptome-wide changes associated with the reproductive behaviour of male guppies exposed to 17α-ethinyl estradiol. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 270:116286. [PMID: 33360600 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.116286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Although many pharmaceutical compounds (and their metabolites) can induce harmful impacts at the molecular, physiological and behavioural levels, their underlying mechanistic associations have remained largely unexplored. Here, we utilized RNA-Seq to build a whole brain transcriptome profile to examine the impact of a common endocrine disrupting pharmaceutical (17α-ethinyl estradiol, EE2) on reproductive behaviour in wild guppies (Poecilia reticulata). Specifically, we annotated 16,791 coding transcripts in whole brain tissue in relation to the courtship behaviour (i.e. sigmoid display) of EE2 exposed (at environmentally relevant concentration of 8 ng/L for 28-days) and unexposed guppies. Further, we obtained 10,960 assembled transcripts matching in the non-coding orthologous genomes. Behavioural responses were assessed using a standard mate choice experiment, which allowed us to disentangle chemical cues from visual cues. We found that a high proportion of the RNAseq reads aligned back to our de novo assembled transcriptome with 80.59% mapping rate. Behavioural experiments showed that when males were presented only with female visual cues, there was a significant interaction between male treatment and female treatment in the time spent in the preference zone. This is one of the first studies to show that transcriptome-wide changes are associated with the reproductive behaviour of fish: EE2 exposed male guppies that performed high levels of courtship had a gene profile that deviated the most from the other treatment groups, while both non-courting EE2 and control males had similar gene signatures. Using Gene Ontology pathway analysis, our study shows that EE2-exposed males had gene transcripts enriched for pathways associated with altered immunity, starvation, altered metabolism and spermatogenesis. Our study demonstrates that multiple gene networks orchestrate courting behaviour, emphasizing the importance of investigating impacts of pharmaceuticals on gene networks instead of single genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minna Saaristo
- EPA Victoria, Water Sciences, Melbourne, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Australia; Department of Biosciences, Åbo Akademi University, Finland.
| | - John A Craft
- Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, UK
| | - Sonika Tyagi
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Australia
| | | | - Mayumi Allinson
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Khalid S Ibrahim
- Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, UK; Department of Biology, University of Zakho, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
| | - Bob B M Wong
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Australia
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Pagotto R, Santamaría CG, Harreguy MB, Abud J, Zenclussen ML, Kass L, Crispo M, Muñoz-de-Toro MM, Rodriguez HA, Bollati-Fogolín M. Perinatal exposure to Bisphenol A disturbs the early differentiation of male germ cells. Reprod Toxicol 2020; 98:117-124. [PMID: 32956838 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2020.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the effects of Bisphenol A (BPA) on early germ cell differentiation and their consequences in adult life is an area of growing interest in the field of endocrine disruption. Herein, we investigate whether perinatal exposure to BPA affects the differentiation of male germ cells in early life using a transgenic mouse expressing the GFP reporter protein under the Oct4 promoter. In this model, the expression of GFP reflects the expression of the Oct4 gene. This pluripotency gene is required to maintain the spermatogonial stem cells in an undifferentiated stage. Thus, GFP expression was used as a parameter to evaluate the effect of BPA on early germ cell development. Female pregnant transgenic mice were exposed to BPA by oral gavage, from embryonic day 5.5 to postnatal day 7 (PND7). The effects of BPA on male germ cell differentiation were evaluated at PND7, while sperm quality, testicular morphology, and protein expression of androgen receptor and proliferating cell nuclear antigen were studied at PND130. We found that perinatal/lactational exposure to BPA up-regulates the expression of Oct4-driven GFP in testicular cells at PND7. This finding suggests a higher proportion of undifferentiated spermatogonia in BPA-treated animals compared with non-exposed mice. Moreover, in adulthood, the number of spermatozoa per epididymis was reduced in those animals perinatally exposed to BPA. This work shows that developmental exposure to BPA disturbed the normal differentiation of male germ cells early in life, mainly by altering the expression of Oct4 and exerted long-lasting sequelae at the adult stage, affecting sperm count and testis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romina Pagotto
- Cell Biology Unit, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Mataojo 2020, CP 11400 Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Clarisa G Santamaría
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Ciudad Universitaria UNL, Ruta Nacional N°168, km 472, CPA S3000ZAA, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - María Belén Harreguy
- Cell Biology Unit, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Mataojo 2020, CP 11400 Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Julián Abud
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Ciudad Universitaria UNL, Ruta Nacional N°168, km 472, CPA S3000ZAA, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - María Laura Zenclussen
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Ciudad Universitaria UNL, Ruta Nacional N°168, km 472, CPA S3000ZAA, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Laura Kass
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Ciudad Universitaria UNL, Ruta Nacional N°168, km 472, CPA S3000ZAA, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Martina Crispo
- Transgenic and Experimental Animal Unit, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Mataojo 2020, CP 11400 Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Mónica M Muñoz-de-Toro
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Ciudad Universitaria UNL, Ruta Nacional N°168, km 472, CPA S3000ZAA, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Horacio A Rodriguez
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Ciudad Universitaria UNL, Ruta Nacional N°168, km 472, CPA S3000ZAA, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Mariela Bollati-Fogolín
- Cell Biology Unit, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Mataojo 2020, CP 11400 Montevideo, Uruguay.
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Liu Q, Yu W, Fan S, Zhuang H, Han Y, Zhang H, Yuan Z, Weng Q. Seasonal expressions of androgen receptor, estrogen receptors, 5α-reductases and P450arom in the epididymis of the male muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus). J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2019; 194:105433. [PMID: 31376460 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2019.105433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Revised: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The steroid hormones not only exert various endocrine functions but also act as the autocrine or paracrine factors in different tissues of mammals. In the present study, the seasonal expressions of androgen receptor (AR), estrogen receptors alpha and beta (ERα and ERβ), aromatase cytochrome P450 (P450arom) and 5α-reductase 1, 2 were investigated in the epididymis of the muskrat. HE staining showed enlarged lumen and abundant sperm in the breeding season while reduced lumen with no sperm in the non-breeding season. The staining of AR was presented in nuclei of epithelial cells of the epididymis in both seasons. The immunostaining of ERα was localized in both nuclei and cytoplasm of epithelial cells of the epididymis during the breeding season, while the weak staining of ERα was only in the nuclei of epithelial cells during the non-breeding season. In contrast, ERβ signal was negative in the epididymis of the muskrat in both seasons. The positive signals for P450arom and 5α-reductase 1, 2 were found in the cytoplasm of epithelial and smooth muscle cells during both seasons. Moreover, the protein and mRNA expression levels of AR, ERα, P450arom and 5α-reductase 1, 2 were significantly higher in the epididymis during the breeding season than those of the non-breeding season, and the expression level of 5α-reductase 1 was higher when compared with 5α-reductase 2. In addition, the levels of testosterone (T) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the epididymis and serum were remarkably higher during the breeding season. Taken together, these findings suggested androgen and estrogen might play an important endocrine or autocrine/paracrine role to regulate the epididymal functions of the muskrat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Liu
- College of Biological Science and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Wenyang Yu
- College of Biological Science and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Sijie Fan
- College of Biological Science and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Haotong Zhuang
- College of Biological Science and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Yingying Han
- College of Biological Science and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Haolin Zhang
- College of Biological Science and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Zhengrong Yuan
- College of Biological Science and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Qiang Weng
- College of Biological Science and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China.
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Niedenberger BA, Geyer CB. Advanced immunostaining approaches to study early male germ cell development. Stem Cell Res 2018; 27:162-168. [PMID: 29475796 PMCID: PMC5894494 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2018.01.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2017] [Revised: 01/12/2018] [Accepted: 01/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian male germ cell development takes place in the testis under the influence of a variety of somatic cells and an incompletely defined paracrine and endocrine influences. Since it is not recapitulated well in vitro, researchers studying spermatogenesis often manipulate the germline by creating transgenic or knockout mice or by administering pharmaceutical agonists/antagonists or inhibitors. The effects of these types of manipulations on germline development can often be determined following microscopic imaging, both of stained and immunostained testis sections. Here, we describe approaches for microscopic analysis of the developing male germline, provide detailed protocols for a variety of immunostaining approaches, and discuss transgenic fluorescent reporter lines for studying the early stages of spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan A Niedenberger
- East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
| | - Christopher B Geyer
- East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA; Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA.
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Horan TS, Marre A, Hassold T, Lawson C, Hunt PA. Germline and reproductive tract effects intensify in male mice with successive generations of estrogenic exposure. PLoS Genet 2017; 13:e1006885. [PMID: 28727826 PMCID: PMC5519010 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1006885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2017] [Accepted: 06/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The hypothesis that developmental estrogenic exposure induces a constellation of male reproductive tract abnormalities is supported by experimental and human evidence. Experimental data also suggest that some induced effects persist in descendants of exposed males. These multi- and transgenerational effects are assumed to result from epigenetic changes to the germline, but few studies have directly analyzed germ cells. Typically, studies of transgenerational effects have involved exposing one generation and monitoring effects in subsequent unexposed generations. This approach, however, has limited human relevance, since both the number and volume of estrogenic contaminants has increased steadily over time, intensifying rather than reducing or eliminating exposure. Using an outbred CD-1 mouse model, and a sensitive and quantitative marker of germline development, meiotic recombination, we tested the effect of successive generations of exposure on the testis. We targeted the germline during a narrow, perinatal window using oral exposure to the synthetic estrogen, ethinyl estradiol. A complex three generation exposure protocol allowed us to compare the effects of individual, paternal, and grandpaternal (ancestral) exposure. Our data indicate that multiple generations of exposure not only exacerbate germ cell exposure effects, but also increase the incidence and severity of reproductive tract abnormalities. Taken together, our data suggest that male sensitivity to environmental estrogens is increased by successive generations of exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tegan S. Horan
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
| | - Alyssa Marre
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
| | - Terry Hassold
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
| | - Crystal Lawson
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
| | - Patricia A. Hunt
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
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