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Su M, Zhong Y, Chen Y, Xiang J, Ye Z, Liao S, Ye S, Zhang J. Assessment of environmental exposure to betamethasone on the reproductive function of female Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes). ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 281:116651. [PMID: 38959790 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116651] [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: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Betamethasone has been extensively used in medicine in recent years and poses potential hazards to aquatic organisms. This study investigated the reproductive toxic effects of betamethasone exposure in fish, employing female Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) as a model. Betamethasone exposure at environmentally relevant concentrations (0, 20, 200, and 2000 ng/L) for a period of 15 weeks resulted in its high accumulation in the ovary, leading to abnormal oogenesis in female Japanese medaka. The production of gonadotropins (LH and FSH) in the pituitary gland was inhibited, and sex steroid biosynthesis in the ovary was significantly influenced at the transcriptional level. The imbalance of androgens and estrogens resulted in a decrease in the E2/T ratio and hepatic VTG synthesis, and the suppression of estrogen receptor signaling was also induced. Furthermore, betamethasone exposure delayed spawning and reduced fertility in the F0 generation, and had detrimental effects on the fertilization rate and hatchability of the F1 generation. Our results showed that environmental betamethasone had the potential to adversely affect female fertility and steroid hormone dynamics in fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maoliang Su
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresource & Eco-Environmental Science, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Youling Zhong
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresource & Eco-Environmental Science, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Yuru Chen
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Jiazhi Xiang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresource & Eco-Environmental Science, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Zhiyin Ye
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresource & Eco-Environmental Science, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Shujia Liao
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresource & Eco-Environmental Science, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Shiyang Ye
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresource & Eco-Environmental Science, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Junbin Zhang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresource & Eco-Environmental Science, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China.
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Vieira CP, Martins Lara NDLE, Procópio MS, Avelar GF. Optimization of spermatozoa analysis in mice: A comprehensive protocol. Tissue Cell 2024; 89:102463. [PMID: 38981185 DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2024.102463] [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: 01/14/2024] [Revised: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
Sperm quality is critical to predict reproductive alterations caused by immunological factors or toxicant agents. Yet, no detailed protocol has been published focusing on analyses of sperm parameters in mice. Our aim was to evaluate the most efficient diluent for mice sperm analyses and to optimize the sperm morphology classification, through the comparison of different staining methods. The diluents assessed were PBS (baseline), HTF, DMEM, 1 % BSA in PBS and 9 % skimmed powdered milk diluted in PBS. Spermatozoa were evaluated for vitality, motility, and morphology, smears were stained with Papanicolaou, HE, Giemsa, and Rapid staining. Sperm vitality and total motility reached better scores in milk based and DMEM diluents. HE raised up as an effective option since its combination with any of the diluents we tested, resulted in a fair staining, which was appropriated to evaluate mice spermatozoa. Finally, based on WHO manual, we have updated the current morphological classification for mice sperm, since we have detailed the head defects as well as included midpiece and tail defects on it. Taken together, we presented a useful, low cost, and reliable method to assess sperm morphology that could be employed worldwide by laboratories dedicated to study reproductive biology on mice model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Pinhol Vieira
- Laboratory of Cellular Biology, Department of Morphology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Marcela Santos Procópio
- Laboratory of Cellular Biology, Department of Morphology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Gleide Fernandes Avelar
- Laboratory of Cellular Biology, Department of Morphology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
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Brown ER, Gettler LT, Rosenbaum S. Effects of social environments on male primate HPG and HPA axis developmental programming. Dev Psychobiol 2024; 66:e22491. [PMID: 38698633 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Developmental plasticity is particularly important for humans and other primates because of our extended period of growth and maturation, during which our phenotypes adaptively respond to environmental cues. The hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) and hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axes are likely to be principal targets of developmental "programming" given their roles in coordinating fitness-relevant aspects of the phenotype, including sexual development, adult reproductive and social strategies, and internal responses to the external environment. In social animals, including humans, the social environment is believed to be an important source of cues to which these axes may adaptively respond. The effects of early social environments on the HPA axis have been widely studied in humans, and to some extent, in other primates, but there are still major gaps in knowledge specifically relating to males. There has also been relatively little research examining the role that social environments play in developmental programming of the HPG axis or the HPA/HPG interface, and what does exist disproportionately focuses on females. These topics are likely understudied in males in part due to the difficulty of identifying developmental milestones in males relative to females and the general quiescence of the HPG axis prior to maturation. However, there are clear indicators that early life social environments matter for both sexes. In this review, we examine what is known about the impact of social environments on HPG and HPA axis programming during male development in humans and nonhuman primates, including the role that epigenetic mechanisms may play in this programming. We conclude by highlighting important next steps in this research area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ella R Brown
- Department of Anthropology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Lee T Gettler
- Department of Anthropology, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
- Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Stacy Rosenbaum
- Department of Anthropology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Darmani H, Ali RRA. Long-term effect of exposure to triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) on male mouse reproduction. Eur J Oral Sci 2024; 132:e12988. [PMID: 38664917 DOI: 10.1111/eos.12988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Our study investigated the impact on male mouse fertility and reproduction of long-term (14 weeks) exposure to triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA), a co-monomer of resin-based compounds, at doses of 0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10 ppm. Test and control mice were then paired with sexually mature untreated female mice and their fertility evaluated. Females paired with males exposed to all TEGDMA doses exhibited a significant decline in pregnancy rates, and significant increases in the total embryonic resorption-to-implantation ratio, except for males exposed to 0.01 ppm TEGDMA. Males in the highest dose group (10 ppm) showed significant increases in seminal vesicle and preputial gland weights. They also had significantly higher serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) than the controls, and the 0.01 ppm dosage group for FSH levels. TEGDMA exposure resulted in notable histopathological alterations in the testis, with detachment of germ cells and shedding of germinal epithelium into the tubule lumen. These results strongly indicate that TEGDMA exposure has detrimental consequences on the reproductive abilities and functions in male mice through disruption of the standard hormonal regulation of the reproductive system, leading to changes in spermatogenesis and ultimately leading to decreased fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Homa Darmani
- Department of Applied Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Arts, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Razan Ramiz Abbas Ali
- Department of Applied Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Arts, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
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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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Kumbhare SD, Ukey SS, Gogle DP. Antioxidant activity of Flemingia praecox and Mucuna pruriens and their implications for male fertility improvement. Sci Rep 2023; 13:19360. [PMID: 37938242 PMCID: PMC10632466 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46705-9] [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: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Globally, 15-24% couples are unable to conceive naturally and 50% of cases of this problem are due to infertility in males. Of this, about 50% of male infertility problems are developed due to unknown reasons called as idiopathic infertility. It is well established that, reactive oxygen species (ROS) have negative impact on male fertility and are involved in 80% of total idiopathic male infertility cases. Medicinal plants are considered as an alternative approach for mitigating the health problems. The plants with good antioxidant capacity can improve the male infertility symptoms generated by ROS. Such medicinal plants can be used to alleviate the symptoms of male infertility with their diverse phytoconstituents. Mucuna pruriens is a well-accepted herb, with its seeds being used to improve the male fertility in various ways and one of the ways is by eliminating the ROS. In our field survey, another plant, Flemingia praecox, although less known, its roots are used in all problems related to the male fertility by tribal people of the Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra, India. The study was conducted to determine in vitro antioxidant potential of F. praecox and compared the results with the well-established male fertility improving plant M. pruriens with special emphasis on medicinally important roots of F. praecox and seeds of M. pruriens. The objective of the study was investigated by studying their total phenol (TPC) and flavonoid (TFC) content, antioxidant parameters (DPPH, FRAP, ABTS, DMPD, β-carotene bleaching and TAA) and finally DNA damage protection capacity of the plant extracts was studied. The plant parts used for the medicinal purposes have been investigated along with other major parts (leaves, stem and roots of both the plants) and compared with synthetic antioxidants, BHA, BHT and ascorbic acid. Moreover, the inhibition of two male infertility enzyme markers, PDE5 and arginase by F. praecox root and M. pruriens seed extract was also studied in vitro. The results showed that F. praecox possesses higher antioxidant activity than M. pruriens in the majority of studies as observed in TFC, DPPH, TAA, ABTS and DMPD assays. However, M. pruriens seeds showed best results in TPC, FRAP and DNA damage protection assay. F. praecox root extract also gave better PDE5 inhibition value than M. pruriens seeds. This study will help to establish the authenticity of F. praecox used by tribal people and will encourage its further use in managing the male infertility problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shravan D Kumbhare
- Post Graduate Teaching Department of Botany, RTM Nagpur University, Nagpur, 440033, India
| | - Sanghadeep S Ukey
- Post Graduate Teaching Department of Botany, RTM Nagpur University, Nagpur, 440033, India
- Department of Botany, Lokmanya Tilak College, Yavatmal, 445304, India
| | - Dayanand P Gogle
- Post Graduate Teaching Department of Botany, RTM Nagpur University, Nagpur, 440033, India.
- Post Graduate Teaching Department of Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering, RTM Nagpur University, Nagpur, 440033, India.
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Ke Y, Jiang J, Mao X, Qu B, Li X, Zhao H, Wang J, Li Z. Photochemical reaction of glucocorticoids in aqueous solution: Influencing factors and photolysis products. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 331:138799. [PMID: 37119927 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids (GCs), as endocrine disruptors, have attracted widespread attention due to their impacts on organisms' growth, development, and reproduction. In the current study, the photodegradation of budesonide (BD) and clobetasol propionate (CP), as targeted GCs, was investigated including the effects of initial concentrations and typical environmental factors (Cl-, NO2-, Fe3+, and fulvic acid (FA)). The results showed that the degradation rate constants (k) were 0.0060 and 0.0039 min-1 for BD and CP at concentration of 50 μg·L-1, and increased with the initial concentrations. Under the addition of Cl-, NO2-, and Fe3+ to the GCs/water system, the photodegradation rate was decreased with increasing Cl-, NO2-, and Fe3+ concentrations, which were in contrast to the addition of FA. Electron resonance spectroscopy (EPR) analysis and the radical quenching experiments verified that GCs could transition to the triplet excited states of GCs (3GCs*) for direct photolysis under irradiation to undergo, while NO2-, Fe3+, and FA could generate ·OH to induce indirect photolysis. According to HPLC-Q-TOF MS analysis, the structures of the three photodegradation products of BD and CP were elucidated, respectively, and the phototransformation pathways were inferred based on the product structures. These findings help to grasp the fate of synthetic GCs in the environment and contribute to the understanding of their ecological risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Ke
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education), School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, China
| | - Jingqiu Jiang
- Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, No.12 South Zhongguancun Ave., Haidian District, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Xiqin Mao
- Dalian Institute for Drug Control, Dalian Food and Drug Administration, Dalian, 116024, China
| | - Baocheng Qu
- College of Marine Technology and Environment, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116024, China
| | - Xintong Li
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education), School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, China
| | - Hongxia Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education), School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, China.
| | - Jingyao Wang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education), School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, China
| | - Zhansheng Li
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education), School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, China
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Su M, Zhong Y, Xiang J, Chen Y, Liu N, Zhang J. Reproductive endocrine disruption and gonadal intersex induction in male Japanese medaka chronically exposed to betamethasone at environmentally relevant levels. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 455:131493. [PMID: 37156043 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The broad utilization of betamethasone in medical treatments may pose a significant ecotoxicological risk to aquatic organisms, yet its potential reproductive toxicity remains unclear. The present study examined the impacts of environmental exposure on male reproduction using Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes). After 110 days of betamethasone exposure at environmentally relevant concentrations (0, 20 and 200 ng/L), LH/FSH synthesis and release in the pituitary was inhibited, and the production of sex hormones and their signaling pathways in the gonads of male medaka were greatly influenced. This synthetic glucocorticoid restrained testosterone (T) synthesis and gave rise to a significant increase in E2/T and E2/11-KT ratios. Furthermore, chronic betamethasone exposure (20 and 200 ng/L) led to the suppression of androgen receptor (AR) signaling and enhancement of estrogen receptors (ERs) signaling. An increase in hepatic vitellogenin contents was also detected, and testicular oocytes were observed in both 20 and 200 ng/L betamethasone-treated groups. It showed that 20 and 200 ng/L betamethasone could induce male feminization and even intersex, triggering abnormal spermatogenesis in medaka males. With its adverse effects on male fertility, betamethasone could potentially influence the fishery productivity and population dynamics in aquatic ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maoliang Su
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresource & Eco-Environmental Science, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Youling Zhong
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresource & Eco-Environmental Science, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Jiazhi Xiang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresource & Eco-Environmental Science, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Yuru Chen
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Nanxi Liu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresource & Eco-Environmental Science, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Junbin Zhang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresource & Eco-Environmental Science, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China.
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Bablok M, Gellisch M, Scharf M, Brand-Saberi B, Morosan-Puopolo G. Spatiotemporal expression pattern of the chicken glucocorticoid receptor during early embryonic development. Ann Anat 2023; 247:152056. [PMID: 36696929 DOI: 10.1016/j.aanat.2023.152056] [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: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids - commonly known as stress hormones - belong to the family of steroid hormones and regulate numerous life essential physiological processes. As lipophilic molecules, glucocorticoids are known to cross the placental barrier in mammals, which - applied for therapeutic reasons or arising from environmental influences - illustrates the role of prenatal stress during embryonic developmental processes. The hormones employ their functions by binding to the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and thus are involved in regulating the transcription of thousands of genes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the spatiotemporal expression pattern of the GR during early embryonic vertebrate development, using the chicken embryo as a model organism. The results should contribute to enhance and expand the current understanding of glucocorticoid signaling. By performing in-situ hybridization on whole mount chicken embryos from stage HH10 to HH29 and analyzing vibratome sections of hybridized embryos, we described the spatiotemporal expression pattern of the GR during early embryogenesis. Moreover, we compared the expression pattern of the GR with other developmental markers such as Pax7, Desmin, MyoD and HNK-1 using double in-situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. We were able to determine the first emergence of GR expression in stage HH13 of chicken development in the cranial area, especially in the muscle anlagen of the branchial arches and of non-somitic neck muscles. Furthermore, we monitored the extension of GR expression pattern throughout later stages and found transcripts of GR during somitogenesis, limb development, myogenesis, neurulation and neural differentiation and moreover during organogenesis of the gastrointestinal organs, the heart, the kidneys and the lungs. Toward later stages, GR expression transitioned from more distinct areas of expression to an increasingly ubiquitous expression pattern. Our results support the notion of an enormous relevance of glucocorticoid signaling during vertebrate embryonic development and contribute to a better understanding of the consequences of prenatal stress and the clinical administration of prenatal glucocorticoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Bablok
- Department of Anatomy and Molecular Embryology, Institute of Anatomy, Medical Faculty, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Morris Gellisch
- Department of Anatomy and Molecular Embryology, Institute of Anatomy, Medical Faculty, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Marion Scharf
- Department of Anatomy and Molecular Embryology, Institute of Anatomy, Medical Faculty, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Beate Brand-Saberi
- Department of Anatomy and Molecular Embryology, Institute of Anatomy, Medical Faculty, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Gabriela Morosan-Puopolo
- Department of Anatomy and Molecular Embryology, Institute of Anatomy, Medical Faculty, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
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10
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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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11
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Huang C, Zhao X, Su M, Yin Z. Construction and evaluation of novel αvβ3 integrin ligand-conjugated ultrasmall star polymer micelles targeted glomerular podocytes through GFB permeation. Biomaterials 2021; 276:121053. [PMID: 34352625 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2021.121053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
As glomerular cells, podocytes are the last line of defense for glomerular filtration barriers (GFB) and play a critical role in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Podocyte-targeted drug delivery is a promising direction in the treatment of CKD. In this study, we constructed four-arm star polymers conjugated with a novel linear RWrNM peptide. And poly ε-caprolactone (PCL) hydrophobic core and brush poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) hydrophilic shell were synthesized by ROP and SET LRP polymerization. The PHEMA modified by succinic anhydride was coupled with the novel linear RWrNM peptide, and then the PCL hydrophobic core was loaded with dexamethasone acetate (Dexac) to form micelles with stable dimensions. Our findings showed that the novel micelles had an ultrasmall particle size of 16-30 nm. We, for the first time, showed that the specific affinity of the novel linear RWrNM peptide to primary podocytes (24.9 ± 1.7 times of the free RhB uptake) through the αvβ3 integrin receptor mediation was comparable to that of B16F10 cells (24.4 ± 1.2 times of the free RhB uptake). In vivo studies showed that the novel ultrasmall micelles possessed a significant kidney-targeted effect, excellent podocyte colocalization effect, and GFB permeability at 49%-60 % in normal SD rats. Besides, the novel ultrasmall micelles decreased the plasma elimination half-life of Dexac to 1.62-2.09 h and showed good safety in vitro and in vivo. Both in vitro and in vivo results demonstrated the novel ultrasmall micelles could be used as a promising drug delivery strategy for actively targeted therapy of CKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengyuan Huang
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xuan Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Meiling Su
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Zongning Yin
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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12
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Dias FCR, Machado-Neves M, Lima GDA, Martins ALP, Menezes TP, Melo FCSA, Gomes MLM, Cupertino MC, Otoni WC, Matta SLP. How bad is brazilian ginseng extract for reproductive parameters in mice? Histol Histopathol 2020; 35:1135-1149. [PMID: 32735026 DOI: 10.14670/hh-18-244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Properties attributed to the Panax ginseng are also attributed to the Brazilian ginseng, such as adaptogenic and aphrodisiac effects. There are studies demonstrating that the Brazilian ginseng (BGE) possibly increases the serum levels of testosterone and nitric oxide in mice and rats. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of its extract on male fertility and sperm quality. Male Swiss mice (n = 60) were divided into six groups. The control animals were provided 0.5 mL of water, and 0.5 mL of water containing 7 mg/kg per day (d) sildenafil citrate. Other animals were treated with BGE at 100 mg/kg/d, 200 mg/kg/d, and 400 mg/kg/d by gavage for 42 days. Finally, animals from the last group received 200 mg/kg BGE every 3 days (3-3d) by gavage for 42 days. The results showed a reduction in the number of resistant spermatids in the testis and damage to daily sperm production, culminating in a reduction in the number of epididymal spermatozoa. Although the sperm quality decreased in all experimental animals, only males treated with BGE 100 mg/kg/d showed pre and post implantation embryo losses. We concluded that BGE alters sperm viability compromising the embryonic development after implantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- F C R Dias
- Department of General Biology, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brazil.,Department of Structural Biology, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - M Machado-Neves
- Department of General Biology, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - G D A Lima
- Department of General Biology, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - A L P Martins
- Department of General Biology, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - T P Menezes
- Department of General Biology, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - F C S A Melo
- Department of Animal Biology, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - M L M Gomes
- Department of Structural Biology, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - M C Cupertino
- Department of General Biology, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - W C Otoni
- Department of Plant Biology, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - S L P Matta
- Department of General Biology, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brazil.
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13
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Ruiz D, Padmanabhan V, Sargis RM. Stress, Sex, and Sugar: Glucocorticoids and Sex-Steroid Crosstalk in the Sex-Specific Misprogramming of Metabolism. J Endocr Soc 2020; 4:bvaa087. [PMID: 32734132 PMCID: PMC7382384 DOI: 10.1210/jendso/bvaa087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Early-life exposures to environmental insults can misprogram development and increase metabolic disease risk in a sex-dependent manner by mechanisms that remain poorly characterized. Modifiable factors of increasing public health relevance, such as diet, psychological stress, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals, can affect glucocorticoid receptor signaling during gestation and lead to sex-specific postnatal metabolic derangements. Evidence from humans and animal studies indicate that glucocorticoids crosstalk with sex steroids by several mechanisms in multiple tissues and can affect sex-steroid-dependent developmental processes. Nonetheless, glucocorticoid sex-steroid crosstalk has not been considered in the glucocorticoid-induced misprogramming of metabolism. Herein we review what is known about the mechanisms by which glucocorticoids crosstalk with estrogen, androgen, and progestogen action. We propose that glucocorticoid sex-steroid crosstalk is an understudied mechanism of action that requires consideration when examining the developmental misprogramming of metabolism, especially when assessing sex-specific outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Ruiz
- Committee on Molecular Metabolism and Nutrition, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.,Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | | | - Robert M Sargis
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism; Department of Medicine; University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.,Chicago Center for Health and Environment, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
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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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15
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Acevedo-Rodriguez A, Kauffman AS, Cherrington BD, Borges CS, Roepke TA, Laconi M. Emerging insights into hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis regulation and interaction with stress signalling. J Neuroendocrinol 2018; 30. [PMID: 29524268 PMCID: PMC6129417 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Reproduction and fertility are regulated via hormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. Control of this reproductive axis occurs at all levels, including the brain and pituitary, and allows for the promotion or inhibition of gonadal sex steroid secretion and function. In addition to guiding proper gonadal development and function, gonadal sex steroids also act in negative- and positive-feedback loops to regulate reproductive circuitry in the brain, including kisspeptin neurones, thereby modulating overall HPG axis status. Additional regulation is also provided by sex steroids made within the brain, including neuroprogestins. Furthermore, because reproduction and survival need to be coordinated and balanced, the HPG axis is able to modulate (and be modulated by) stress hormone signalling, including cortiscosterone, from the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This review covers recent data related to the neural, hormonal and stress regulation of the HPG axis and emerging interactions between the HPG and HPA axes, focusing on actions at the level of the brain and pituitary.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Acevedo-Rodriguez
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - A S Kauffman
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - B D Cherrington
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA
| | - C S Borges
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Botucatu, Brazil
| | - T A Roepke
- Department of Animal Sciences, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - M Laconi
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología Ovárica, Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo (IMBECU - CONICET), Universidad Juan Agustín Maza, Mendoza, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Ambientales, Universidad Juan Agustín Maza, Mendoza, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Mendoza, Mendoza, Argentina
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de Barros JWF, Borges CDS, Missassi G, Pacheco TL, De Grava Kempinas W. Impact of intrauterine exposure to betamethasone on the testes and epididymides of prepubertal rats. Chem Biol Interact 2018; 291:202-211. [PMID: 29953847 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2018.06.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2018] [Revised: 06/03/2018] [Accepted: 06/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Therapy with betamethasone, a synthetic glucocorticoid, is used in cases of preterm birth risk, in order to promote fetal lung maturation, and decrease neonatal mortality and morbidity. However, late reproductive disorders related to the prenatal exposure to this compound have been reported by our Laboratory, in both male and female rats. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the impact of betamethasone on postnatal reproductive development, during pre-puberty, of male offspring exposed in utero to this synthetic glucocorticoid. For this purpose, pregnant Wistar rats were allocated into two groups: Control, treated with saline, and the group treated with betamethasone at 0.1 mg/kg/day. Control and betamethasone groups were treated with intramuscular injection on gestational days 12, 13, 18 and 19, critical days of prenatal reproductive development. The treatment is associated with reduced body and organ weights, disorders in initial reproductive parameters of pre-pubertal male offspring exposed in utero to betamethasone, such as reduction of anogenital distance, alterations in histomorphometric parameters and immunostaining pattern of androgen and estrogen receptors on testicles and epididymides. Our results suggest that prenatal exposure to betamethasone potentially causes reproductive reprogramming and impairs male postnatal reproductive development. This data raise concerns about the use of betamethasone for human antenatal therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cibele Dos Santos Borges
- Department of Morphology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute of Biosciences, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Missassi
- Department of Morphology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute of Biosciences, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Tainá Louise Pacheco
- Department of Morphology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute of Biosciences, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Wilma De Grava Kempinas
- Department of Morphology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute of Biosciences, Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
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17
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Decreased H3K9ac level of StAR mediated testicular dysplasia induced by prenatal dexamethasone exposure in male offspring rats. Toxicology 2018; 408:1-10. [PMID: 29902490 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2018.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Revised: 05/05/2018] [Accepted: 06/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Prenatal dexamethasone exposure (PDE) could induce testicular developmental toxicity in adults. The present study aims to confirm its intrauterine origination, and to explore its potential intrauterine programming mechanism. The pregnant rats were respectively injected subcutaneously with 0.2 and 0.8 mg/kg d dexamethasone during gestational days (GD) 9 to 20. The testes and serum of offspring rats were collected on GD20 and postnatal week (PW) 12. In vivo, PDE significantly induced the abnormal testicular morphology in offspring from GD20 to PW12. Moreover, the serum and intratesticular testosterone levels and the expression of testicular steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) were reduced by PDE. The expression levels of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and histone deacetylase 7 (HDAC7) were increased in fetal testes. Furthermore, the histone 3 lysine 9 acetylation (H3K9ac) level in the StAR promoter was decreased by PDE from GD20 to PW12. In vitro, mouse Leydig tumour cell line (MLTC-1) cells were treated with dexamethasone (20, 100 and 500 nM), and the testosterone production and StAR expression were reduced. Moreover, dexamethasone increased the expression of HDAC7 by activating GR, which decreased the H3K9ac level in the StAR promoter. Taken together, PDE caused testicular dysplasia before and after birth in male offspring rats, and its mechanism was related to the low-expressional programming of StAR mediated by decreasing H3K9ac level.
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18
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Kiguti LRA, Borges CS, Mueller A, Silva KP, Polo CM, Rosa JL, Silva PV, Missassi G, Valencise L, Kempinas WG, Pupo AS. Gender-specific impairment of in vitro sinoatrial node chronotropic responses and of myocardial ischemia tolerance in rats exposed prenatally to betamethasone. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2017; 334:66-74. [PMID: 28887130 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2017.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2017] [Revised: 08/01/2017] [Accepted: 09/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Excessive fetal glucocorticoid exposure has been linked to increased susceptibility to hypertension and cardiac diseases in the adult life, a process called fetal programming. The cardiac contribution to the hypertensive phenotype of glucocorticoid-programmed progeny is less known, therefore, we investigated in vitro cardiac functional parameters from rats exposed in utero to betamethasone. Pregnant Wistar rats received vehicle (VEH) or betamethasone (BET, 0.1mg/kg, i.m.) at gestational days 12, 13, 18 and 19. Male and female offspring were killed at post-natal day 30 and the right atrium (RA) was isolated to in vitro evaluation of drug-induced chronotropic responses. Additionally, whole hearts were retrograde-perfused in a Langendorff apparatus and infarct size in response to in vitro ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) protocol was evaluated. Male and female progeny from BET-exposed pregnant rats had reduced birth weight, a hallmark of fetal programming. Male BET-progeny had increased basal RA rate, impaired chronotropic responses to noradrenaline and adenosine, and increased myocardial damage to I/R. Though a 12-fold reduction in the negative chronotropic responses to adenosine, the effects of non-metabolisable adenosine receptor agonists 5'-(N-ethylcarboxamido)adenosine or 2-Chloro-adenosine were not different between VEH- and BET-exposed male rats. BET-exposed female offspring presented no cardiac dysfunction. Prenatal BET exposure engenders male-specific impairment of sinoatrial node function and on myocardial ischemia tolerance resulting, at least in part, from an increased adenosine metabolism in the heart. In light of the importance of adenosine in the cardiac physiology our results suggest a link between reduced adenosinergic signaling and the cardiac dysfunctions observed in glucocorticoid-induced fetal programming.
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Affiliation(s)
- L R A Kiguti
- Department of Pharmacology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute of Biosciences, Campus of Botucatu, Distrito de Rubião Junior s/n°, 18618-689 Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
| | - C S Borges
- Department of Morphology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute of Biosciences, Campus of Botucatu, Distrito de Rubião Junior s/n°, 18618-689 Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - A Mueller
- Department of Pharmacology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute of Biosciences, Campus of Botucatu, Distrito de Rubião Junior s/n°, 18618-689 Botucatu, SP, Brazil; Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Sinop, MT, Brazil
| | - K P Silva
- Department of Pharmacology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute of Biosciences, Campus of Botucatu, Distrito de Rubião Junior s/n°, 18618-689 Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - C M Polo
- Department of Physiology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute of Biosciences, Campus of Botucatu, Distrito de Rubião Junior s/n°, 18618-689 Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - J L Rosa
- Department of Morphology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute of Biosciences, Campus of Botucatu, Distrito de Rubião Junior s/n°, 18618-689 Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - P V Silva
- Department of Morphology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute of Biosciences, Campus of Botucatu, Distrito de Rubião Junior s/n°, 18618-689 Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - G Missassi
- Department of Morphology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute of Biosciences, Campus of Botucatu, Distrito de Rubião Junior s/n°, 18618-689 Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - L Valencise
- Department of Morphology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute of Biosciences, Campus of Botucatu, Distrito de Rubião Junior s/n°, 18618-689 Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - W G Kempinas
- Department of Morphology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute of Biosciences, Campus of Botucatu, Distrito de Rubião Junior s/n°, 18618-689 Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - A S Pupo
- Department of Pharmacology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute of Biosciences, Campus of Botucatu, Distrito de Rubião Junior s/n°, 18618-689 Botucatu, SP, Brazil
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Borges CDS, Pacheco TL, da Silva KP, Fernandes FH, Gregory M, Pupo AS, Salvadori DMF, Cyr DG, Kempinas WDG. Betamethasone causes intergenerational reproductive impairment in male rats. Reprod Toxicol 2017; 71:108-117. [DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2017.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2016] [Revised: 03/27/2017] [Accepted: 04/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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20
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Borges CS, Pacheco TL, Guerra MT, Barros AL, Silva PV, Missassi G, da Silva KP, Anselmo-Franci JA, Pupo AS, Kempinas WDG. Reproductive disorders in female rats after prenatal exposure to betamethasone. J Appl Toxicol 2017; 37:1065-1072. [PMID: 28326570 DOI: 10.1002/jat.3457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2016] [Revised: 01/30/2017] [Accepted: 01/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Betamethasone is the drug of choice for antenatal treatment, promoting fetal lung maturation and decreasing mortality. Previous studies in rats reported male programming and alteration in sperm parameters and sexual behavior following intrauterine betamethasone exposure. The impact on the female reproductive development is not known. In this study, rat female offspring was assessed for sexual development, morphophysiology of the reproductive tract and fertility after maternal exposure to 0.1 mg kg-1 of betamethasone or vehicle on gestational days 12, 13, 18 and 19. The treatment promoted reduction of litter weight on postnatal day 1, morphological masculinization in females, delay in the age of puberty onset, reduction in estrus number, increase in estrous cycle length and increase in luteinizing hormone serum levels and uterus weight. The females from the betamethasone group showed an increase of myometrial uterine area and decrease in endometrial uterine area. These animals also performed less lordosis during the sexual behavior test and showed impaired reproductive performance. The uterus showed higher contraction in the treated group as shown by a pharmacological assay. In conclusion, prenatal betamethasone exposure in rats promoted female masculinization, altered sexual development and reproductive parameters. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cibele S Borges
- Departments of Morphology, Institute of Biosciences, Univ Estadual Paulista-UNESP, Distrito de Rubião Junior s/n°, 18618-970, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Tainá L Pacheco
- Departments of Morphology, Institute of Biosciences, Univ Estadual Paulista-UNESP, Distrito de Rubião Junior s/n°, 18618-970, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Marina T Guerra
- Departments of Morphology, Institute of Biosciences, Univ Estadual Paulista-UNESP, Distrito de Rubião Junior s/n°, 18618-970, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Aline L Barros
- Departments of Morphology, Institute of Biosciences, Univ Estadual Paulista-UNESP, Distrito de Rubião Junior s/n°, 18618-970, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Patricia V Silva
- Departments of Morphology, Institute of Biosciences, Univ Estadual Paulista-UNESP, Distrito de Rubião Junior s/n°, 18618-970, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Missassi
- Departments of Morphology, Institute of Biosciences, Univ Estadual Paulista-UNESP, Distrito de Rubião Junior s/n°, 18618-970, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Katiussia Pinho da Silva
- Departments of Pharmacology, Institute of Biosciences, Univ Estadual Paulista-UNESP, Distrito de Rubião Junior s/n°, 18618-970, Botucatu, 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
| | - André S Pupo
- Departments of Pharmacology, Institute of Biosciences, Univ Estadual Paulista-UNESP, Distrito de Rubião Junior s/n°, 18618-970, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Wilma De G Kempinas
- Departments of Morphology, Institute of Biosciences, Univ Estadual Paulista-UNESP, Distrito de Rubião Junior s/n°, 18618-970, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
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21
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Borges CS, Dias AFMG, Rosa JL, Silva PV, Silva RF, Barros AL, Sanabria M, Guerra MT, Gregory M, Cyr DG, De G Kempinas W. Alterations in male rats following in utero exposure to betamethasone suggests changes in reproductive programming. Reprod Toxicol 2016; 63:125-34. [PMID: 27247242 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2016.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2016] [Revised: 05/23/2016] [Accepted: 05/27/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Antenatal betamethasone is used for accelerating fetal lung maturation for women at risk of preterm birth. Altered sperm parameters were reported in adult rats after intrauterine exposure to betamethasone. In this study, male rat offspring were assessed for reproductive development after dam exposure to betamethasone (0.1mg/kg) or vehicle on Days 12, 13, 18 and 19 of pregnancy. The treatment resulted in reduction in the offspring body weight, delay in preputial separation, decreased seminal vesicle weight, testosterone levels and fertility, and increased testicular weight. In the testis, morphologically abnormal seminiferous tubules were observed, characterized by an irregular cell distribution with Sertoli cell that were displaced towards the tubular lumen. These cells expressed both Connexin 43 (Cx43) and Proliferative Nuclear Cell Antigen (PCNA). In conclusion, intrauterine betamethasone treatment appears to promote reproductive programming and impairment of rat sexual development and fertility due to, at least in part, unusual testicular disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cibele S Borges
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biosciences, Univ Estadual Paulista-UNESP, Distrito de Rubião Junior s/n°, 18618-970 Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
| | - Ana Flávia M G Dias
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biosciences, Univ Estadual Paulista-UNESP, Distrito de Rubião Junior s/n°, 18618-970 Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Josiane Lima Rosa
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biosciences, Univ Estadual Paulista-UNESP, Distrito de Rubião Junior s/n°, 18618-970 Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Patricia V Silva
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biosciences, Univ Estadual Paulista-UNESP, Distrito de Rubião Junior s/n°, 18618-970 Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Raquel F Silva
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biosciences, Univ Estadual Paulista-UNESP, Distrito de Rubião Junior s/n°, 18618-970 Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Aline L Barros
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biosciences, Univ Estadual Paulista-UNESP, Distrito de Rubião Junior s/n°, 18618-970 Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Marciana Sanabria
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biosciences, Univ Estadual Paulista-UNESP, Distrito de Rubião Junior s/n°, 18618-970 Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Marina T Guerra
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biosciences, Univ Estadual Paulista-UNESP, Distrito de Rubião Junior s/n°, 18618-970 Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Mary Gregory
- Laboratory for Reproductive Toxicology, INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier, University of Quebec, 531 boulevard des Prairies, Laval, Québec, Canada, H7V 1B7
| | - Daniel G Cyr
- Laboratory for Reproductive Toxicology, INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier, University of Quebec, 531 boulevard des Prairies, Laval, Québec, Canada, H7V 1B7
| | - Wilma De G Kempinas
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biosciences, Univ Estadual Paulista-UNESP, Distrito de Rubião Junior s/n°, 18618-970 Botucatu, SP, Brazil
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