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Campagna AA, Fabra MC, Seoane A, Furnus CC, Carranza-Martin AC, Nikoloff N. Impact of fluazuron on oocyte maturation: May the antiparasitic affect bovine reproduction? Theriogenology 2024; 227:92-101. [PMID: 39047407 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 07/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Fluazuron is a novel veterinary pour-on antitick formulation which can be applied simultaneously with bovine reproduction management strategies. Considering the economic importance of the livestock industry in many countries, it is important to know whether antiparasitics such as fluazuron may cause embryonic loss. The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicological effect of fluazuron on bovine oocytes during in vitro maturation. The best fluazuron concentrations were determined in a preliminary experiment on Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-K1 cells and further used to compare fluazuron toxicity in both study models. Results of the annexin V and alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis assays demonstrated that fluazuron caused cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in bovine cumulus cells at all the concentrations tested (50, 75 and 100 μg fluazuron/mL). The evaluation of cortical granules and mitochondria distribution showed that cytoplasmic maturation was not affected by fluazuron treatment. However, a decrease in metaphase II + polar body, degenerate oocytes as well as disorganized chromatin in polar body were observed at all concentrations tested. Whereas the fertilization process was not altered by 50 μg/mL fluazuron, the embryo development rate decreased significantly. No significant differences were observed in any of the oxidative stress parameters assessed. This study contributes to a better understanding of fluazuron in bovines, suggesting that the antiparasitic may affect bovine reproduction and might cause embryo loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anabella Andrea Campagna
- IGEVET - Instituto de Genética Veterinaria "Ing. Fernando N. Dulout" (UNLP-CONICET LA PLATA), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mariana Carolina Fabra
- IGEVET - Instituto de Genética Veterinaria "Ing. Fernando N. Dulout" (UNLP-CONICET LA PLATA), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Analía Seoane
- IGEVET - Instituto de Genética Veterinaria "Ing. Fernando N. Dulout" (UNLP-CONICET LA PLATA), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Cecilia Cristina Furnus
- IGEVET - Instituto de Genética Veterinaria "Ing. Fernando N. Dulout" (UNLP-CONICET LA PLATA), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ana Cristina Carranza-Martin
- IGEVET - Instituto de Genética Veterinaria "Ing. Fernando N. Dulout" (UNLP-CONICET LA PLATA), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Noelia Nikoloff
- IGEVET - Instituto de Genética Veterinaria "Ing. Fernando N. Dulout" (UNLP-CONICET LA PLATA), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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2
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Alves-Pimenta S, Félix L, Colaço B, Oliveira PA, Venâncio C. Guidelines on Developmental Toxicity Tests: Brief Insights. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2753:39-65. [PMID: 38285333 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3625-1_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Developmental toxicology is a constantly evolving research field which needs to attend to a complex underlying regulatory network. In order to ensure human health and environmental safety, new substances have to be tested for toxic effects on reproduction and development, before being commercialized. Traditional in vivo mammalian models represent the intricacy of human development and provide more adequately an assessment of the interaction of chemical compounds with the reproductive system. However, in the last years, the directives are to reduce the use of vertebrate animals, promoting their use only as a last resort. Consequently, the interest on the development and validation of alternative tests, able to cover the various aspects of the reproductive cycle, has significantly increased. Reproductive toxicity is probably the most difficult endpoint to be replaced by alternative assays, since it should provide information on mechanism interactions essential for female and male fertility and also knowledge on the animal development during the first phases of its life cycle. This complexity explains the slow progress in implementing alternative models for reproductive toxicity safety assays. Alternative test models may be based on in vitro systems and nonmammalian animal models. Many biological processes have been successfully addressed using in vitro models, opening the possibility to study the interference of teratogenic compounds. Their validation and implementation have lagged behind, in part because of difficulties in establishing their predictability. Nevertheless, the advance toward the process of validation is crucial to replace and reduce the use of living animals. Based on the present state of the art, it is not probable that such testing strategies will completely replace the need to assess reproductive toxicity in vivo in the near future, but they will contribute to reduce animal tests and will provide important information. In this chapter, the approved guidelines for standard methods and alternative methods, according to their regulatory and scientific status, are enumerated and briefly described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Alves-Pimenta
- Department of Animal Science, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences (ECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal
- Animal and Veterinary Research Centre (CECAV), Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Luís Félix
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal
- Institute for Innovation, Capacity Building and Sustainability of Agri-food Production (Inov4Agro), University of Trás-os Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Bruno Colaço
- Department of Animal Science, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences (ECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal
- Animal and Veterinary Research Centre (CECAV), Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Paula A Oliveira
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal
- Institute for Innovation, Capacity Building and Sustainability of Agri-food Production (Inov4Agro), University of Trás-os Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences (ECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Carlos Venâncio
- Department of Animal Science, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences (ECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal.
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal.
- Institute for Innovation, Capacity Building and Sustainability of Agri-food Production (Inov4Agro), University of Trás-os Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal.
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3
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Martino NA, Picardi E, Ciani E, D’Erchia AM, Bogliolo L, Ariu F, Mastrorocco A, Temerario L, Mansi L, Palumbo V, Pesole G, Dell’Aquila ME. Cumulus Cell Transcriptome after Cumulus-Oocyte Complex Exposure to Nanomolar Cadmium in an In Vitro Animal Model of Prepubertal and Adult Age. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:biology12020249. [PMID: 36829526 PMCID: PMC9953098 DOI: 10.3390/biology12020249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd), a highly toxic pollutant, impairs oocyte fertilization, through oxidative damage on cumulus cells (CCs). This study analysed the transcriptomic profile of CCs of cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) from adult and prepubertal sheep, exposed to Cd nanomolar concentration during in vitro maturation. In both age-groups, CCs of matured oocytes underwent RNA-seq, data analysis and validation. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in adult (n = 99 DEGs) and prepubertal (n = 18 DEGs) CCs upon Cd exposure. Transcriptomes of adult CCs clustered separately between Cd-exposed and control samples, whereas prepubertal ones did not as observed by Principal Component Analysis. The transcriptomic signature of Cd-induced CC toxicity was identified by gene annotation and literature search. Genes associated with previous studies on ovarian functions and/or Cd effects were confirmed and new genes were identified, thus implementing the knowledge on their involvement in such processes. Enrichment and validation analysis showed that, in adult CCs, Cd acted as endocrine disruptor on DEGs involved in hormone biosynthesis, cumulus expansion, regulation of cell signalling, growth and differentiation and oocyte maturation, whereas in prepubertal CCs, Cd affected DEGs involved in CC development and viability and CC-oocyte communications. In conclusion, these DEGs could be used as valuable non-invasive biomarkers for oocyte competence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Antonio Martino
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies & Environment, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Edoardo Orabona, 70125 Bari, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0805443888
| | - Ernesto Picardi
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies & Environment, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Edoardo Orabona, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Elena Ciani
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies & Environment, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Edoardo Orabona, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Anna Maria D’Erchia
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies & Environment, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Edoardo Orabona, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Luisa Bogliolo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna n. 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Federica Ariu
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna n. 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Antonella Mastrorocco
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies & Environment, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Edoardo Orabona, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Letizia Temerario
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies & Environment, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Edoardo Orabona, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Luigi Mansi
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies & Environment, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Edoardo Orabona, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Valeria Palumbo
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies & Environment, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Edoardo Orabona, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Graziano Pesole
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies & Environment, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Edoardo Orabona, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Elena Dell’Aquila
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies & Environment, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Edoardo Orabona, 70125 Bari, Italy
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Asimaki K, Vazakidou P, van Tol HTA, Oei CHY, Modder EA, van Duursen MBM, Gadella BM. Bovine In Vitro Oocyte Maturation and Embryo Production Used as a Model for Testing Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals Eliciting Female Reproductive Toxicity With Diethylstilbestrol as a Showcase Compound. FRONTIERS IN TOXICOLOGY 2022; 4:811285. [PMID: 35686045 PMCID: PMC9171015 DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2022.811285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can interfere with normal hormonal action and regulation. Exposure of women to EDCs has been associated with adverse reproductive health outcomes. The assays currently used to identify EDCs that elicit female reproductive toxicity lack screening tests that address effects on the maturation of oocytes, a process that enables them to be fertilized and develop into embryos. Here, a screening method employing the bovine model of in vitro oocyte maturation and embryo production is described. Endpoints explored address important events in oocyte maturation and developmental competence acquisition. To test the method, the effects of the known human EDC diethylstilbestrol (DES; an estrogen receptor agonist) were evaluated in a range of concentrations (10–9 M, 10–7 M, 10–5 M). Bovine oocytes were exposed to DES during in vitro maturation (IVM) or embryos were exposed during in vitro embryo culture (IVC). The endpoints evaluated included nuclear maturation, mitochondrial redistribution, cumulus cell expansion, apoptosis, and steroidogenesis. DES-exposed oocytes were fertilized to record embryo cleavage and blastocyst rates to uncover effects on developmental competence. Similarly, the development of embryos exposed to DES during IVC was monitored to assess the impact on early embryo development. Exposure to 10–9 M or 10–7 M DES did not affect the endpoints addressing oocyte maturation or embryo development. However, there were considerable detrimental effects observed in oocytes exposed to 10–5 M DES. Specifically, compared to vehicle-treated oocytes, there was a statistically significant reduction in nuclear maturation (3% vs 84%), cumulus expansion (2.8-fold vs 3.6-fold) and blastocyst rate (3% vs 32%). Additionally, progesterone and pregnenolone concentrations measured in IVM culture media were increased. The screening method described here shows that bovine oocytes were sensitive to the action of this particular chemical (i.e., DES), albeit at high concentrations. In principle, this method provides a valuable tool to assess the oocyte maturation process and early embryo development that can be used for reproductive toxicity screening and possibly EDC identification. Further studies should include EDCs with different mechanisms of action and additional endpoints to further demonstrate the applicability of the bovine oocyte model for chemical risk assessment purposes and EDC identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- K. Asimaki
- Division of Farm Animal Health, Department Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment, Section Environment and Health, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- *Correspondence: K. Asimaki,
| | - P. Vazakidou
- Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment, Section Environment and Health, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - H. T. A. van Tol
- Division of Farm Animal Health, Department Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - C. H. Y. Oei
- Division of Farm Animal Health, Department Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - E. A. Modder
- Division of Farm Animal Health, Department Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - M. B. M. van Duursen
- Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment, Section Environment and Health, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - B. M. Gadella
- Division of Farm Animal Health, Department Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
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Nikoloff N, Carranza Martin AC, Fabra MC, Furnus CC. Amitraz induced cytotoxic effect on bovine cumulus cells and impaired oocyte maturation. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:29188-29199. [PMID: 33550522 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-12670-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of amitraz (AMZ) on the primary culture of bovine cumulus cells (CC) and oocyte nuclear maturation. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by assessing mitochondrial activity with the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Genotoxicity was estimated using the alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) assay. Apoptosis was detected with the Annexin V-affinity assay. The in vitro maturation test was performed in bovine oocytes. To understand AMZ action, glutathione content, superoxide dismutase enzyme activity, and lipid peroxidation were evaluated in CC. Results showed that AMZ lethal concentration (LC 5024h) for bovine CC was 32.55 μg/mL (MTT assay). A 25 μg/mL induced late apoptosis and necrotic cells (p < 0.05); however, DNA damage was decreased at the same concentration (SCGE assay; p < 0.05). A decrease in metaphase II was observed at 25 μg/mL, and degenerate oocytes were observed at 15 and 25 μg/mL (p < 0.05). None of the oxidative stress parameters evaluated showed significant differences. This study contributes to a better understanding of AMZ in this model, suggesting its potential cytotoxicity and impact on bovine reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noelia Nikoloff
- IGEVET - Instituto de Genética Veterinaria "Ing. Fernando N Dulout" (UNLP-CONICET LA PLATA), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calle 60 y 118, B1904AMA, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ana C Carranza Martin
- IGEVET - Instituto de Genética Veterinaria "Ing. Fernando N Dulout" (UNLP-CONICET LA PLATA), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calle 60 y 118, B1904AMA, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mariana C Fabra
- IGEVET - Instituto de Genética Veterinaria "Ing. Fernando N Dulout" (UNLP-CONICET LA PLATA), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calle 60 y 118, B1904AMA, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Cecilia C Furnus
- IGEVET - Instituto de Genética Veterinaria "Ing. Fernando N Dulout" (UNLP-CONICET LA PLATA), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calle 60 y 118, B1904AMA, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Toxicological evaluation of 3-(4-Chlorophenylselanyl)-1-methyl-1H-indole through the bovine oocyte in vitro maturation model. Toxicol In Vitro 2019; 62:104678. [PMID: 31629896 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2019.104678] [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: 06/20/2019] [Revised: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The development of new bioactive molecules based on the molecular hybridization has been widely explored. In line with this, reliable tests should be employed to give information about the toxicology of these new molecules. In this sense, the use of in vitro tests is a valuable tool, especially the in vitro maturation of oocytes (IVM), which is an efficient resource to discover the potential toxicity of synthetic molecules. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the toxicological effects of the selenium-containing indolyl compound 3-(4-Chlorophenylselanyl)-1-methyl-1H-indole (CMI), on different quality parameters of bovine oocytes through the IVM. Different concentrations of the CMI compound (0, 25, 50, 100, 200 μM) were supplemented during the in vitro maturation process. After, the oocyte maturation rate, glutathione (GSH) levels, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, membrane, and mitochondrial integrity were evaluated. The results showed that the lowest concentration of CMI induced the highest GSH production (P < 0.05), an important marker of cytoplasmic quality and maturation. All treatments increased ROS production in relation to non-supplementation (P < 0.05). In addition, oocyte maturation was reduced only with the highest concentration of CMI (P < 0.05). Supplementation with CMI did not impact mitochondrial activity, integrity and cell membrane. To our knowledge, this is the first study that evaluates CMI on the oocyte in vitro maturation process. Importantly, our results did not find any toxic effect of CMI on bovine oocytes. CMI was efficient for cytoplasmic maturation by promoting an increase in the intracellular levels of glutathione.
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Akar Y, Ahmad N, Khalıd M. The effect of cadmium on the bovine in vitro oocyte maturation and early embryo development. Int J Vet Sci Med 2018; 6:S73-S77. [PMID: 30761325 PMCID: PMC6161866 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijvsm.2018.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2017] [Revised: 03/01/2018] [Accepted: 03/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Common pollutants such as heavy metals and cadmium is among those with high environmental concerns. In vivo studies had shown that cadmium (Cd) causes oocyte degeneration and embryo mortality, and lowers pregnancy rates in mammals. However, there is limited information available about direct effects of Cd on oocyte maturation and/or embryo development. This study was aimed to investigate if Cd has any effect on the oocyte maturation and/or embryo development in vitro. Bovine COCs were collected from the slaughter house and cultured for 24 h in serum-free media only (Controls) or supplemented with 0.2, 2.0 and 20.0 μM CdCl2. At 24 h cumulus cell expansion was assessed in all COCs. COCs were either denuded and stained for determination of nuclear maturation or fertilized for assessment of subsequent embryo development. Cd at the lowest concentration (0.2 μM) did not affect any of the parameters studied. However, at higher concentrations (2.0 and 20.0 μM) it significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the percentage of fully-expanded COCs and significantly (P < 0.05) increased the percentage of partially and/or non-expanded COCs compared to controls and 0.2 μM. Cadmium at higher concentrations (2.0 and 20.0 μM) also significantly (P < 0.01) reduced the percentage of oocytes reaching metaphase II stage compared to controls and 0.2 μM. Post-fertilization cleavage rate in presumptive zygotes and blastocyst development significantly (P < 0.05) reduced 0.2, 2.0 and 20.0 μM CdCl2 compared to the controls (0.0 μM). In conclusion, these results suggest that Cd had direct detrimental effects on the bovine oocyte maturation and its developmental competence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaşar Akar
- Deparment of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Erciyes, Talas, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Naveed Ahmad
- Deparment of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Vehari, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Khalıd
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, University of London, London, UK
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Abstract
Developmental toxicology is a constantly evolving research field which needs to attend to a complex underlying regulatory network. Before entering the market new substances have to be tested for toxic effects on reproduction and development in order to ensure human health and environmental safety. Traditional in vivo mammalian models represent more adequately the intricacy of human development and provide an assessment of the interaction of chemicals on the reproductive system. However, in the last years, the main goal is to reduce the use of vertebrate animals, using those only as last resort. Consequently, the interest in the development and validation of a battery of alternative tests able to cover the various aspects of the reproductive cycle has increased. Reproductive toxicity is probably the most difficult endpoint to be replaced by alternative assays, since it should provide information on mechanisms interactions essential for female and male fertility, and also knowledge on the development of a new human being during its prenatal life. This complexity explains the slow progress in implementing alternatives for reproductive toxicity safety assessments. Alternative test methods may be based on in vitro systems and non-mammalian animal models. Many biological processes have been successfully implemented using in vitro models, opening the possibility to study the interference of teratogenic compounds using these models. Their validation and implementation have lagged behind, in part because of difficulties in establishing their predictability. Nevertheless, the advance toward the process of validation is crucial for a strategy aiming to replace and reduce the use of living animals. Based on the present state of the art, it is not probable that such testing strategies will completely replace the need to assess reproductive toxicity in vivo in the near future, but they contribute to reduce the animal testing and provide important information. In this chapter the approved guidelines for standard methods and alternative methods according to their regulatory and scientific status are enumerated and described.
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9
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Smetanina IG, Tatarinova LV, Krivokharchenko AS. Effects of hypoxanthine at low concentrations on in vitro maturation and fertilization of bovine oocytes. BIOL BULL+ 2017. [DOI: 10.1134/s106235901705017x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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10
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de Castro Jorge Silva A, Remirão MH, Lucas CG, Domingues WB, Silveira T, Paschoal JD, Jornada DS, Corcine CD, Junior ASV, Prado WA, Campos VF, Seixas FK, Guterres SS, Pohlmann AR, Collares T. Effects of chitosan-coated lipid-core nanocapsules on bovine sperm cells. Toxicol In Vitro 2017; 40:214-222. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2017.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2016] [Revised: 01/21/2017] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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11
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Martino NA, Marzano G, Mangiacotti M, Miedico O, Sardanelli AM, Gnoni A, Lacalandra GM, Chiaravalle AE, Ciani E, Bogliolo L, Minervini F, Pizzi F, Dell'Aquila ME. Exposure to cadmium during in vitro maturation at environmental nanomolar levels impairs oocyte fertilization through oxidative damage: A large animal model study. Reprod Toxicol 2017; 69:132-145. [PMID: 28188904 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2017.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Revised: 01/19/2017] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cadmium is a highly toxic heavy metal with negative effects on oocyte fertilization. The aim of this study was to analyse whether cadmium-induced impairment of fertilization is caused by mitochondria dysfunction and oxidative stress in the cumulus-oocyte complex (COC). Preliminarily, 19 trace element levels were measured in ovaries from juvenile and adult ewes and age-related cadmium ovarian bioaccumulation at nanomolar concentrations was found. COCs from juvenile and adult ewes, exposed during in vitro maturation to 1nM or 100nM CdCl2, and subjected to in vitro fertilization showed significantly lower fertilization rates in exposed COCs compared with controls. In vitro matured exposed and control COCs underwent confocal microscopy analysis of mitochondria activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and lipid peroxidation (LPO) assay at cumulus cell and oocyte level. In both age groups, cadmium at nanomolar concentrations induced cumulus-oocyte mitochondria over-activity and oxidative damage which were related to impaired oocyte fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- N A Martino
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Puglia e Basilicata, Via Manfredonia 20, 71121 Foggia, Italy; Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Str. Prov. Casamassima Km 3, 70010, Valenzano, Bari, Italy.
| | - G Marzano
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Str. Prov. Casamassima Km 3, 70010, Valenzano, Bari, Italy.
| | - M Mangiacotti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Puglia e Basilicata, Via Manfredonia 20, 71121 Foggia, Italy.
| | - O Miedico
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Puglia e Basilicata, Via Manfredonia 20, 71121 Foggia, Italy.
| | - A M Sardanelli
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari Aldo Moro, P.zza G. Cesare, 11 70124 Bari, Italy; Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), via del Fosso del Cavaliere 100, 00133 Rome, Italy.
| | - A Gnoni
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari Aldo Moro, P.zza G. Cesare, 11 70124 Bari, Italy.
| | - G M Lacalandra
- Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Str. Prov. Casamassima Km 3, 70010, Valenzano, Bari, Italy.
| | - A E Chiaravalle
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Puglia e Basilicata, Via Manfredonia 20, 71121 Foggia, Italy.
| | - E Ciani
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Str. Prov. Casamassima Km 3, 70010, Valenzano, Bari, Italy.
| | - L Bogliolo
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Section, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Via Vienna, n°2 07100 Sassari, Italy.
| | - F Minervini
- Istituto di Scienze delle Produzioni Alimentari (ISPA), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Via G. Amendola 122/O, 70125 Bari (BA), Italy.
| | - F Pizzi
- Istituto di Biologia e Biotecnologia Agraria (IBBA), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Sede di Lodi-Via A. Einstein, 26500 Lodi, Italy.
| | - M E Dell'Aquila
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Str. Prov. Casamassima Km 3, 70010, Valenzano, Bari, Italy.
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Quadalti C, Galli C, Lazzari G. Development of an in vitro test battery for the screening of the receptor-mediated mechanism and the spindle-poison mode of action of estrogenic compounds. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2016; 48:245-252. [PMID: 27846407 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2016.11.005] [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: 07/18/2016] [Revised: 10/24/2016] [Accepted: 11/08/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The implementation of the REACH regulation has imposed the urgent need of developing alternative testing methods to screen large number of compounds more quickly and at lower costs. In this study, a battery of tests, suitable for reproductive toxicology testing, was developed with the objective of detecting the mechanism of action of estrogenic and xenoestrogenic compounds. With this aim, two compounds known for their estrogenic activity, diethylstilbestrol and 17β-estradiol, were used to set up four different in vitro tests: 1) bovine oocyte in vitro maturation assay, 2) bovine preimplantation embryo in vitro culture assay and 3) MCF-7 and 4) BALB/3T3 cell lines proliferation and cytotoxicity assay, respectively. The results show that this battery of tests allows to identify and to distinguish between two major mechanisms of action of (xeno)estrogenic compounds: the receptor-mediated mechanism and the spindle-poison effect on microtubules polimerization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinne Quadalti
- Avantea, Laboratory of Reproductive Technologies, Via Porcellasco 7/f, Cremona, 26100, Italy; Dept. of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064, Ozzano dell'Emilia (BO), Italy.
| | - Cesare Galli
- Avantea, Laboratory of Reproductive Technologies, Via Porcellasco 7/f, Cremona, 26100, Italy; Dept. of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064, Ozzano dell'Emilia (BO), Italy; Fondazione Avantea, Cremona, Italy.
| | - Giovanna Lazzari
- Avantea, Laboratory of Reproductive Technologies, Via Porcellasco 7/f, Cremona, 26100, Italy; Fondazione Avantea, Cremona, Italy.
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Shaik AB, Ahil SB, Govardhanam R, Senthi M, Khan R, Sojitra R, Kumar S, Srinivas A. Antifungal Effect and Protective Role of Ursolic Acid and Three Phenolic Derivatives in the Management of Sorghum Grain Mold Under Field Conditions. Chem Biodivers 2016; 13:1158-1164. [PMID: 27447843 DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.201500515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2015] [Accepted: 05/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
In this study, investigation was carried out under in vitro as well as field conditions to explore inhibitors of sorghum grain mold. Phytochemicals, viz., methyl trans-p-coumarate (AIC-1), methyl caffeate (AIC-2), syringic acid (AIC-3), and ursolic acid (UA), at different concentrations (500, 750, and 1000 ppm) were tested on spore germination of Alternaria alternata, Curvularia lunata, Fusarium moniliforme, F. pallidoroseum, and Helminthosporium sp. Significant growth inhibition (P < 0.001) was observed against all fungi except A. alternata which was found to be resistant to AIC-3. Further, two separate sets of field experiments involving spraying of water and F. moniliforme suspension over chemicals treated (1000 ppm) sorghum panicles were done. The levels of protection varied with different treatments which were graded using a standard 1 - 9 rating scale. The Fusarium-challenged panicles (FCP) showed lesser susceptibility and decreased the rate of infection of grain mold (grade 7.0), compared to simple UA, AIC-2, and AIC-1 treatments (7.4, 7.6, and 8.0 grade, resp.). The HPLC quantification of differentially induced phenolic acids in treated sorghum grains substantiated this effect disclosing the higher accumulation of chlorogenic, vanillic, and salicylic acids in FCP. This might be due to defensive induction of these acids by the plants. Although mold control by examined chemicals were lesser than the standard Tilt (grade 5.9), they were found to be nontoxic to mammalian cells under cytotoxicity assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ameer Basha Shaik
- Regional Agricultural Research Station, Professor Jayashanker Telangana State Agricultural University, Palem, Mahaboobnagar, Telangana State, 509215, India
| | - Sajeli Begum Ahil
- Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science - Pilani Hyderabad Campus, Jawahar Nagar, Shamirpet Mandal, Ranga Reddy, Telangana State, 500078, India.
| | - Ragavendra Govardhanam
- Regional Agricultural Research Station, Professor Jayashanker Telangana State Agricultural University, Palem, Mahaboobnagar, Telangana State, 509215, India
| | - Mahibalan Senthi
- Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science - Pilani Hyderabad Campus, Jawahar Nagar, Shamirpet Mandal, Ranga Reddy, Telangana State, 500078, India
| | - Rukaiyya Khan
- Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science - Pilani Hyderabad Campus, Jawahar Nagar, Shamirpet Mandal, Ranga Reddy, Telangana State, 500078, India
| | - Ravi Sojitra
- Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science - Pilani Hyderabad Campus, Jawahar Nagar, Shamirpet Mandal, Ranga Reddy, Telangana State, 500078, India
| | - Santhosh Kumar
- Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science - Pilani Hyderabad Campus, Jawahar Nagar, Shamirpet Mandal, Ranga Reddy, Telangana State, 500078, India
| | - Asalla Srinivas
- Regional Agricultural Research Station, Professor Jayashanker Telangana State Agricultural University, Palem, Mahaboobnagar, Telangana State, 509215, India
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Tessaro I, Modina SC, Franciosi F, Sivelli G, Terzaghi L, Lodde V, Luciano AM. Effect of oral administration of low-dose follicle stimulating hormone on hyperandrogenized mice as a model of polycystic ovary syndrome. J Ovarian Res 2015; 8:64. [PMID: 26437930 PMCID: PMC4594749 DOI: 10.1186/s13048-015-0192-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2015] [Accepted: 09/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a widespread reproductive disorder characterized by a disruption of follicular growth and anovulatory infertility. In women with PCOS, follicular growth and ovulation can be induced by subcutaneous injections of low doses of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). The aim of this study was to determine the effect of oral administration of recombinant human FSH (rhFSH) on follicle development in a PCOS murine model. Moreover, since it is unlikely that intact rhFSH is present into the circulation after oral administration, the biological activity of a peptide fragment, derived from the predicted enzymatic cleavage sites with the FSH molecule, was investigated in vitro on cumulus-enclosed oocytes (COCs). Methods Female peripubertal mice were injected with dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) diluted in sesame oil for 20 consecutive days and orally treated with a saline solution of rhFSH. A control group received only sesame oil and saline solution. At the end of treatments, blood was analyzed for hormone concentrations and ovaries were processed for morphological analysis. The presumptive bioactive peptide was added during in vitro maturation of bovine COCs and the effects on cumulus expansion and on maturation rate were evaluated. Results DHEA treatment increased serum levels of testosterone, estradiol and progesterone as well as the percentage of cystic follicles. Orally administered rhFSH restored estradiol level and reduced the percentage of cystic follicles. Despite these results indicating a reduction of the severity of PCOS in the mouse model, the presumptive bioactive peptide did not mimic the effect of rhFSH and failed to induce bovine cumulus expansion and oocyte maturation in vitro. Conclusions Although further studies are needed, the present data supports the concept that orally administrated FSH could attenuate some of the characteristic of PCOS in the mouse model. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13048-015-0192-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Tessaro
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, Milan, 20133, Italy.
| | - Silvia C Modina
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, Milan, 20133, Italy. .,Interdepartmental Research Centre for the Study of Biological Effects of Nano-concentrations (CREBION), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, Milan, 20133, Italy.
| | - Federica Franciosi
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, Milan, 20133, Italy.
| | - Giulia Sivelli
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, Milan, 20133, Italy.
| | - Laura Terzaghi
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, Milan, 20133, Italy.
| | - Valentina Lodde
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, Milan, 20133, Italy.
| | - Alberto M Luciano
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, Milan, 20133, Italy. .,Interdepartmental Research Centre for the Study of Biological Effects of Nano-concentrations (CREBION), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, Milan, 20133, Italy.
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15
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Jorssen EP, Vergauwen L, Goossens K, Hagenaars A, Van Poucke M, Petro E, Peelman L, Knapen D, Leroy JL, Bols PE. Optimisation of the Bovine Whole In Vitro Embryo System as a Sentinel for Toxicity Screening: A Cadmium Challenge. Altern Lab Anim 2015; 43:89-100. [DOI: 10.1177/026119291504300204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Developmental toxicity testing could greatly benefit from the availability of an in vitro alternative model based on the use of animal embryos that have better human-like physiology than the currently-used alternative models. These current models are insufficient, as extrapolation of the results can be challenging. Therefore, an in vitro bovine embryo culture system was used to expose individual morulae to test substances, and to study developmental characteristics up to the blastocyst stage. Cadmium was chosen as the reference toxicant to investigate the sensitivity of the bovine morulae to various concentrations and exposure times. Oocytes from slaughterhouse-obtained bovine ovaries, were maturated, fertilised and cultured up until the morula stage. Morulae were exposed to different cadmium concentrations for 18 or 70 hours, and developmental competence, embryo quality and the expression of cadmium exposure-related genes were evaluated. Cadmium exposure hampered embryonic developmental competence and quality. Compared with the 18-hour exposure, the 70-hour exposure induced a 20-fold higher toxic response with regard to developmental competence and a more ‘cadmium-typical’ transcript expression. The bovine morula might be a promising tool for toxicity testing as, following exposure, the embryos reacted in a sensitive and ‘cadmium-typical’ manner to our reference toxicant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen P.A. Jorssen
- University of Antwerp, Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Lucia Vergauwen
- University of Antwerp, Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Karen Goossens
- Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - An Hagenaars
- University of Antwerp, Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Mario Van Poucke
- Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Evi Petro
- University of Antwerp, Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Luc Peelman
- Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Dries Knapen
- University of Antwerp, Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Jo L.M.R. Leroy
- University of Antwerp, Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Peter E.J. Bols
- University of Antwerp, Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Antwerp, Belgium
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16
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Tessaro I, Modina SC, Crotti G, Franciosi F, Colleoni S, Lodde V, Galli C, Lazzari G, Luciano AM. Transferability and inter-laboratory variability assessment of the in vitro bovine oocyte fertilization test. Reprod Toxicol 2015; 51:106-13. [PMID: 25625651 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2015.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2014] [Revised: 12/16/2014] [Accepted: 01/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The dramatic increase in the number of animals required for reproductive toxicity testing imposes the validation of alternative methods to reduce the use of laboratory animals. As we previously demonstrated for in vitro maturation test of bovine oocytes, the present study describes the transferability assessment and the inter-laboratory variability of an in vitro test able to identify chemical effects during the process of bovine oocyte fertilization. Eight chemicals with well-known toxic properties (benzo[a]pyrene, busulfan, cadmium chloride, cycloheximide, diethylstilbestrol, ketoconazole, methylacetoacetate, mifepristone/RU-486) were tested in two well-trained laboratories. The statistical analysis demonstrated no differences in the EC50 values for each chemical in within (inter-runs) and in between-laboratory variability of the proposed test. We therefore conclude that the bovine in vitro fertilization test could advance toward the validation process as alternative in vitro method and become part of an integrated testing strategy in order to predict chemical hazards on mammalian fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Tessaro
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia C Modina
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy; Interdepartmental Research Centre for the Study of Biological Effects of Nano-Concentrations (CREBION), University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Gabriella Crotti
- Avantea, Laboratory of Reproductive Technologies, 26100 Cremona, Italy
| | - Federica Franciosi
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Colleoni
- Avantea, Laboratory of Reproductive Technologies, 26100 Cremona, Italy
| | - Valentina Lodde
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Cesare Galli
- Avantea, Laboratory of Reproductive Technologies, 26100 Cremona, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Veterinarie, Università di Bologna, 40064 Bologna, Italy; Fondazione Avantea, Cremona, Italy
| | - Giovanna Lazzari
- Avantea, Laboratory of Reproductive Technologies, 26100 Cremona, Italy; Fondazione Avantea, Cremona, Italy
| | - Alberto M Luciano
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy; Interdepartmental Research Centre for the Study of Biological Effects of Nano-Concentrations (CREBION), University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy.
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17
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Santos RR, Schoevers EJ, Roelen BAJ. Usefulness of bovine and porcine IVM/IVF models for reproductive toxicology. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2014; 12:117. [PMID: 25427762 PMCID: PMC4258035 DOI: 10.1186/1477-7827-12-117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2014] [Accepted: 11/05/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Women presenting fertility problems are often helped by Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART), such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) programs. However, in many cases the etiology of the in/subfertility remains unknown even after treatment. Although several aspects should be considered when assisting a woman with problems to conceive, a survey on the patients' exposure to contaminants would help to understand the cause of the fertility problem, as well as to follow the patient properly during IVF. Daily exposure to toxic compounds, mainly environmental and dietary ones, may result in reproductive impairment. For instance, because affects oocyte developmental competence. Many of these compounds, natural or synthetic, are endocrine disruptors or endocrine active substances that may impair reproduction. To understand the risks and the mechanism of action of such chemicals in human cells, the use of proper in vitro models is essential. The present review proposes the bovine and porcine models to evaluate toxic compounds on oocyte maturation, fertilization and embryo production in vitro. Moreover, we discuss here the species-specific differences when mice, bovine and porcine are used as models for human.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regiane R Santos
- />Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University,TD Utrecht,, P.O Box 80152, 3508 The Netherlands
- />Laboratory of Wild Animal Biology and Medicine, Federal University of Pará,, Rua Augusto Corrêa,Belém, CEP 66075-110 Pará Brazil
| | - Eric J Schoevers
- />Department of Farm Animal Health, Utrecht University,, Yalelaan, 104, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Bernard AJ Roelen
- />Department of Farm Animal Health, Utrecht University,, Yalelaan, 104, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands
- />Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan, 104, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Tiedemann D, Taylor U, Rehbock C, Jakobi J, Klein S, Kues WA, Barcikowski S, Rath D. Reprotoxicity of gold, silver, and gold–silver alloy nanoparticles on mammalian gametes. Analyst 2014; 139:931-42. [DOI: 10.1039/c3an01463k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Ahuja V, Sharma S. Drug safety testing paradigm, current progress and future challenges: an overview. J Appl Toxicol 2013; 34:576-94. [PMID: 24777877 DOI: 10.1002/jat.2935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2013] [Revised: 08/08/2013] [Accepted: 08/22/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Early assessment of the toxicity potential of new molecules in pharmaceutical industry is a multi-dimensional task involving predictive systems and screening approaches to aid in the optimization of lead compounds prior to their entry into development phase. Due to the high attrition rate in the pharma industry in last few years, it has become imperative for the nonclinical toxicologist to focus on novel approaches which could be helpful for early screening of drug candidates. The need is that the toxicologists should change their classical approach to a more investigative approach. This review discusses the developments that allow toxicologists to anticipate safety problems and plan ways to address them earlier than ever before. This includes progress in the field of in vitro models, surrogate models, molecular toxicology, 'omics' technologies, translational safety biomarkers, stem-cell based assays and preclinical imaging. The traditional boundaries between teams focusing on efficacy/ safety and preclinical/ clinical aspects in the pharma industry are disappearing, and translational research-centric organizations with a focused vision of bringing drugs forward safely and rapidly are emerging. Today's toxicologist should collaborate with medicinal chemists, pharmacologists, and clinicians and these value-adding contributions will change traditional toxicologists from side-effect identifiers to drug development enablers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varun Ahuja
- Drug Safety Assessment, Novel Drug Discovery and Development, Lupin Limited (Research Park), 46A/47A, Nande Village, MulshiTaluka, Pune, 412 115, India
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20
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Mortimer D, Barratt CLR, Björndahl L, de Jager C, Jequier AM, Muller CH. What should it take to describe a substance or product as 'sperm-safe'. Hum Reprod Update 2013; 19 Suppl 1:i1-45. [PMID: 23552271 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmt008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Male reproductive potential continues to be adversely affected by many environmental, industrial and pharmaceutical toxins. Pre-emptive testing for reproductive toxicological (side-)effects remains limited, or even non-existent. Many products that come into direct contact with spermatozoa lack adequate testing for the absence of adverse effects, and numerous products that are intended for exposure to spermatozoa have only a general assumption of safety based on the absence of evidence of actual harm. Such assumptions can have unfortunate adverse impacts on at-risk individuals (e.g. couples who are trying to conceive), illustrating a clear need for appropriate up-front testing to establish actual 'sperm safety'. METHODS After compiling a list of general areas within the review's scope, relevant literature and other information was obtained from the authors' personal professional libraries and archives, and supplemented as necessary using PubMed and Google searches. Review by co-authors identified and eliminated errors of omission or bias. RESULTS This review provides an overview of the broad range of substances, materials and products that can affect male fertility, especially through sperm fertilizing ability, along with a discussion of practical methods and bioassays for their evaluation. It is concluded that products can only be claimed to be 'sperm-safe' after performing objective, properly designed experimental studies; extrapolation from supposed predicate products or other assumptions cannot be trusted. CONCLUSIONS We call for adopting the precautionary principle, especially when exposure to a product might affect not only a couple's fertility potential but also the health of resulting offspring and perhaps future generations.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Mortimer
- Oozoa Biomedical Inc., Caulfeild Village, West Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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21
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Luciano AM, Franciosi F, Lodde V, Tessaro I, Corbani D, Modina SC, Peluso JJ. Oocytes isolated from dairy cows with reduced ovarian reserve have a high frequency of aneuploidy and alterations in the localization of progesterone receptor membrane component 1 and aurora kinase B. Biol Reprod 2013; 88:58. [PMID: 23325810 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.112.106856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Oocytes isolated from cows of reproductive age with reduced antral follicle counts (AFC) have a diminished capacity of embryonic development, which may be related to alterations in the mechanism that directs the proper segregation of chromosomes. Because we demonstrated that progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1) is involved in chromosome congression and metaphase II (MII) plate formation, the present study was designed to determine 1) if the decrease in oocyte developmental competence observed in dairy cows with a reduced AFC is due to a higher incidence of aneuploidy and 2) whether alterations in PGRMC1 contributes to the incidence of aneuploidy. Oocytes from ovaries with reduced AFC and age-matched controls were matured in vitro and the occurrence of aneuploidy determined as well as the mRNA level and localization of PGRMC1. Although oocytes from ovaries with reduced AFC were capable of undergoing meiosis in vitro, these oocytes showed a 3-fold increase in aneuploidy compared to oocytes isolated from control ovaries (P < 0.05). Although Pgrmc1 mRNA levels were not altered, PGRMC1 and aurora kinase B (AURKB) failed to localize to precise focal points on MII chromosomes of oocytes from ovaries with reduced AFC. Furthermore, when oocytes of control ovaries were cultured with an inhibitor of AURKB activity, their MII plate was disrupted and PGRMC1 was not properly localized to the chromosomes. These results suggest that alterations in PGRMC1 and/or AURKB localization account in part for the increased aneuploidy and low development competence of oocytes from ovaries with reduced AFC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Maria Luciano
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
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Petro E, Leroy J, Van Cruchten S, Covaci A, Jorssen E, Bols P. Endocrine disruptors and female fertility: Focus on (bovine) ovarian follicular physiology. Theriogenology 2012; 78:1887-900. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2012.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2012] [Revised: 06/03/2012] [Accepted: 06/10/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Beker van Woudenberg A, Gröllers-Mulderij M, Snel C, Jeurissen N, Stierum R, Wolterbeek A. The bovine oocyte in vitro maturation model: a potential tool for reproductive toxicology screening. Reprod Toxicol 2012; 34:251-60. [PMID: 22664270 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2012.05.098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2012] [Revised: 05/15/2012] [Accepted: 05/25/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Reproductive toxicity testing according to the present guidelines requires a high number of animals. Therefore, the development of alternative in vitro methods is urgently required. The aim of the present study was to investigate the applicability domain of the bovine oocyte in vitro maturation assay (bIVM) to study female reproductive toxicology. Therefore, bovine oocytes were exposed to a broad set of chemicals of two distinct biological function groups: (a) affecting female fertility and (b) affecting embryonic development and having a broad range of physical and chemical properties. The endpoints evaluated were the oocyte nuclear maturation (progression of meiosis) and general cytotoxicity. The oocyte nuclear maturation was negatively affected by all compounds tested and the effect was observed at concentrations lower than the cytotoxic ones. The bIVM assay correctly predicted the classification of compounds between those predefined groups. Additionally, the bIVM model contributes significantly for the 3R principle, since no test animals are used in this assay. In conclusion, the bIVM is a sensitive and valuable alternative assay to identify potential chemical hazard on female fertility.
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Adler S, Basketter D, Creton S, Pelkonen O, van Benthem J, Zuang V, Andersen KE, Angers-Loustau A, Aptula A, Bal-Price A, Benfenati E, Bernauer U, Bessems J, Bois FY, Boobis A, Brandon E, Bremer S, Broschard T, Casati S, Coecke S, Corvi R, Cronin M, Daston G, Dekant W, Felter S, Grignard E, Gundert-Remy U, Heinonen T, Kimber I, Kleinjans J, Komulainen H, Kreiling R, Kreysa J, Leite SB, Loizou G, Maxwell G, Mazzatorta P, Munn S, Pfuhler S, Phrakonkham P, Piersma A, Poth A, Prieto P, Repetto G, Rogiers V, Schoeters G, Schwarz M, Serafimova R, Tähti H, Testai E, van Delft J, van Loveren H, Vinken M, Worth A, Zaldivar JM. Alternative (non-animal) methods for cosmetics testing: current status and future prospects-2010. Arch Toxicol 2011; 85:367-485. [PMID: 21533817 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-011-0693-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 358] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2011] [Accepted: 03/03/2011] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The 7th amendment to the EU Cosmetics Directive prohibits to put animal-tested cosmetics on the market in Europe after 2013. In that context, the European Commission invited stakeholder bodies (industry, non-governmental organisations, EU Member States, and the Commission's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety) to identify scientific experts in five toxicological areas, i.e. toxicokinetics, repeated dose toxicity, carcinogenicity, skin sensitisation, and reproductive toxicity for which the Directive foresees that the 2013 deadline could be further extended in case alternative and validated methods would not be available in time. The selected experts were asked to analyse the status and prospects of alternative methods and to provide a scientifically sound estimate of the time necessary to achieve full replacement of animal testing. In summary, the experts confirmed that it will take at least another 7-9 years for the replacement of the current in vivo animal tests used for the safety assessment of cosmetic ingredients for skin sensitisation. However, the experts were also of the opinion that alternative methods may be able to give hazard information, i.e. to differentiate between sensitisers and non-sensitisers, ahead of 2017. This would, however, not provide the complete picture of what is a safe exposure because the relative potency of a sensitiser would not be known. For toxicokinetics, the timeframe was 5-7 years to develop the models still lacking to predict lung absorption and renal/biliary excretion, and even longer to integrate the methods to fully replace the animal toxicokinetic models. For the systemic toxicological endpoints of repeated dose toxicity, carcinogenicity and reproductive toxicity, the time horizon for full replacement could not be estimated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Adler
- Centre for Documentation and Evaluation of Alternatives to Animal Experiments (ZEBET), Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Berlin, Germany
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Tessaro I, Luciano AM, Franciosi F, Lodde V, Corbani D, Modina SC. The endothelial nitric oxide synthase/nitric oxide system is involved in the defective quality of bovine oocytes from low mid-antral follicle count ovaries. J Anim Sci 2011; 89:2389-96. [PMID: 21421835 DOI: 10.2527/jas.2010-3714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
In a previous survey concerning cows of reproductive age, we demonstrated that oocytes isolated from ovaries with <10 medium antral follicles of 2 to 6 mm in diameter (low ovaries; Lo) show less developmental competence than oocytes collected from ovaries with >10 medium antral follicles (high ovaries; Hi). The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether a defective endothelial nitric oxide synthase/nitric oxide (eNOS/NO) system and vasculature in healthy medium antral follicles is likely to reduce oocyte competence from Lo ovaries. Thus, experiments were conducted to 1) immunolocalize eNOS protein during folliculogenesis; 2) quantify eNOS protein/vasculature in the follicle wall; and 3) verify if NO donor, S-nitroso acetyl penicillamine (SNAP) administration during in vitro maturation affects developmental competence of oocytes isolated from Lo ovaries. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase protein was detected in granulosa and theca cells, as well as in blood vessels from primordial to antral follicles. Quantitative analysis indicated that in medium antral follicles from Lo ovaries, eNOS protein expression and vasculature were reduced (P < 0.05). The addition of SNAP improved blastocyst and hatching rates of oocytes from Lo ovaries, promoting a percentage similar to oocytes from Hi ovaries, and reduced the percentage of apoptotic nuclei in in vitro-produced blastocysts (P < 0.05). Results from our study suggest that in bovine ovaries with small mid antral follicle number, a defective eNOS/NO system is related to a reduced follicle vasculature and may affect oocyte quality, thus inducing a premature decline of fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Tessaro
- Dipartimento di Scienze Animali, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy
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Altun D, Uysal H, Aşkın H, Ayar A. Determination of the effects of genistein on the longevity of Drosophila melanogaster meigen (Diptera; Drosophilidae). BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2011; 86:120-123. [PMID: 21127834 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-010-0159-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2009] [Accepted: 11/11/2010] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
In this study, the effects of genistein on the longevity of Drosophila melanogaster were investigated. The effects of different concentrations of genistein (1, 3, 5 and 10 μM/100 mL medium) were separately administered one by one to female and male populations of D. melanogaster for application groups. In the control group, the maximum life span was determined to be 57 days for ♀♀, 46 for ♂♂. The maximum life span for the lowest (1.0 μL) and highest (10.0 μL) application groups among the adult populations of D. melanogaster subjected to genistein were observed to be 54, 50, 40 and 36 days for ♀♀ and 51, 48, 40 and 33 days for ♂♂. These values indicate a negative correlation (R = 0.513 for ♂♂ and R = 0.509 for ♀♀) between the maximum life span of the application groups and changing genistein concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deniz Altun
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Art and Science, Erzincan University, 24100 Erzincan, Turkey
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Petro EML, Covaci A, Leroy JLMR, Dirtu AC, De Coen W, Bols PEJ. Occurrence of endocrine disrupting compounds in tissues and body fluids of Belgian dairy cows and its implications for the use of the cow as a model to study endocrine disruption. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2010; 408:5423-5428. [PMID: 20709361 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2010.07.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2010] [Revised: 07/09/2010] [Accepted: 07/15/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
The reproductive performance of high producing dairy cows has dropped severely throughout the last decades. It has already been suggested that the presence of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) in the environment could be one of the reasons for this declining fertility. Reliable data concerning tissue and body fluid concentrations of these chemicals are thus crucial, but currently only scarcely available. Therefore, we selected dairy cows (≥6years) from diverse locations in Belgium and analysed tissues (liver, adipose tissue, muscle, kidney, and ovaria) and body fluids (serum, follicular fluid, and milk) for their content of potential EDCs, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Furthermore, we collected milk and serum samples from high producing dairy cows 2-3weeks post-partum to verify if the massive lipolysis required to sustain milk production is accompanied with an increase in EDC concentrations in milk and serum. Overall, contamination was very low (median sum PCBs liver: 11.7ngg(-1) lw), with follicular fluid samples showing no detectable contamination. CB 153 was present in each tissue sample. Strong correlations could be found between EDCs in the same tissue. The increased PCB concentrations observed in milk samples from high producing dairy cows could indicate that massive lipolysis can play a role in liberating and thereby increasing EDC concentrations in milk. Because concentrations of the most prevalent EDCs in dairy cow tissues and body fluids are very low, exposure to EDCs can hardly be considered as a major cause of declining fertility in high producing dairy cows in Belgium. As a result of this low contamination and the similarities between the female bovine and human reproductive physiology, in vitro studies based on Belgian dairy cow ovarian follicles can be considered as a valuable model to study the effects of EDCs on human reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evi M L Petro
- Gamete Research Center, Laboratory for Veterinary Physiology, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
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