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Visser N, Silva AV, Tarvainen I, Damdimopoulos A, Davey E, Roos K, Björvang RD, Kallak TK, Lager S, Lavogina D, Laws M, Piltonen T, Salumets A, Flaws JA, Öberg M, Velthut-Meikas A, Damdimopoulou P, Olovsson M. Epidemiologically relevant phthalates affect human endometrial cells in vitro through cell specific gene expression changes related to the cytoskeleton and mitochondria. Reprod Toxicol 2024; 128:108660. [PMID: 38992643 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2024.108660] [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: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
Phthalates are endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) found in common consumer products such as soft plastics and cosmetics. Although the knowledge regarding the adverse effects of phthalates on female fertility are accumulating, information on the hormone sensitive endometrium is still scarce. Here, we studied the effects of phthalates on endometrial cell proliferation and gene expression. Human endometrial primary epithelial and stromal cells were isolated from healthy fertile-aged women (n=3), and were compared to endometrial cell lines T-HESC and Ishikawa. Three different epidemiologically relevant phthalate mixtures were used, defined by urine samples in the Midlife Women Health Study (MWHS) cohort. Mono (2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP) was used as a single phthalate control. Cells were harvested for proliferation testing and transcriptomic analyses after 24 h exposure. Even though all cell models responded differently to the phthalate exposures, many overlapping differentially expressed genes (DEGs, FDR<0.1), related to cell adhesion, cytoskeleton and mitochondria were found in all cell types. The qPCR analysis confirmed that MEHHP significantly affected cell adhesion gene vinculin (VCL) and NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase subunit B7 (NDUFB7), important for oxidative phosphorylation. Benchmark dose modelling showed that MEHHP had significant concentration-dependent effects on cytoskeleton gene actin-beta (ACTB). In conclusion, short 24 h phthalate exposures significantly altered gene expression cell-specifically in human endometrial cells, with six shared DEGs. The mixture effects were similar to those of MEHHP, suggesting MEHHP could be the main driver in the mixture. Impact of phthalate exposures on endometrial functions including receptivity should be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadja Visser
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Antero Vieira Silva
- Unit of Integrative Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ilari Tarvainen
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 17177, Sweden; Department of Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm 17177, Sweden; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Haartmaninkatu 8, Helsinki 00029 HUS, Finland
| | - Anastasios Damdimopoulos
- Bioinformatics and Expression Analysis Core Facility, Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eva Davey
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Kristine Roos
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia; Nova Vita Clinic, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Richelle D Björvang
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 17177, Sweden
| | | | - Susanne Lager
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Darja Lavogina
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu, Estonia; Institute of Chemistry, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Mary Laws
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Terhi Piltonen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Research Unit of Clinical Medicine, Medical Research Centre, Oulu University Hospital, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Andres Salumets
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 17177, Sweden; Department of Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm 17177, Sweden; Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu, Estonia; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Jodi A Flaws
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Mattias Öberg
- Unit of Integrative Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Agne Velthut-Meikas
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Pauliina Damdimopoulou
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 17177, Sweden; Department of Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm 17177, Sweden
| | - Matts Olovsson
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
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Alahmadi H, Martinez S, Farrell R, Bikienga R, Arinzeh N, Potts C, Li Z, Warner GR. Mixtures of phthalates disrupt expression of genes related to lipid metabolism and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor signaling in mouse granulosa cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.02.592217. [PMID: 38746167 PMCID: PMC11092572 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.02.592217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Phthalates are a class of known endocrine disrupting chemicals that are found in common everyday products. Several studies associate phthalate exposure with detrimental effects on ovarian functions, including growth and development of the follicle and production of steroid hormones. We hypothesized that dysregulation of the ovary by phthalates may be mediated by phthalate toxicity towards granulosa cells, a major cell type in ovarian follicles responsible for key steps of hormone production and nourishing the developing oocyte. To test the hypothesis that phthalates target granulosa cells, we harvested granulosa cells from adult CD-1 mouse ovaries and cultured them for 96 hours in vehicle control, a phthalate mixture, or a phthalate metabolite mixture (0.1-100 μg/mL). After culture, we measured metabolism of the phthalate mixture into monoester metabolites by the granulosa cells, finding that granulosa cells do not significantly contribute to ovarian metabolism of phthalates. Immunohistochemistry of phthalate metabolizing enzymes in whole ovaries confirmed that these enzymes are not strongly expressed in granulosa cells of antral follicles and that ovarian metabolism of phthalates likely occurs primarily in the stroma. RNA sequencing of treated granulosa cells identified 407 differentially expressed genes, with overrepresentation of genes from lipid metabolic processes, cholesterol metabolism, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathways. Expression of significantly differentially expressed genes related to these pathways were confirmed using qPCR. Our results agree with previous findings that phthalates and phthalate metabolites have different effects on the ovary and interfere with PPAR signaling in granulosa cells.
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Parikh FR, Uttamchandani S, Sawkar S, Panpalia M, Naik N, Sinkar P, Kulkarni D, Parikh R. The impact of follicular fluid phthalate metabolites on the ovarian reserve and ovarian function in Indian women undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection. F&S SCIENCE 2024; 5:107-120. [PMID: 38219085 DOI: 10.1016/j.xfss.2023.11.001] [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: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the adverse effects of phthalate-induced ovarian toxicity on the ovarian reserve and ovarian function. To assess whether the accumulation of higher levels of selected phthalate metabolites in the follicular fluid (FF) of Indian women undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) was associated with a decline in their antral follicle count (AFC) and/or serum antimüllerian hormone (AMH) levels, suggesting a negative impact on the ovarian reserve. To evaluate the effects of follicular phthalate metabolites on peak serum estradiol (E2) levels and the total number of oocytes and mature metaphase II (MII) stage oocytes retrieved to assess the impact of phthalate toxicity on ovarian function. DESIGN A subanalysis of an ongoing prospective cohort study was conducted to examine the association between the levels of six phthalate metabolites, namely, mono-n-butyl phthalate (MBP), mono-ethyl phthalate (MEP), mono-isononyl phthalate (MiNP), mono-isodecyl phthalate (MiDP), mono(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate, and mono(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate, in the FF of Indian women undergoing ICSI and their ovarian reserve markers (AFC and serum AMH levels). To investigate the association of these follicular phthalate metabolite levels with the peak E2 levels and the total number of oocytes and number of MII stage oocytes retrieved. SETTING In vitro fertilization center in a referral hospital in India. PATIENT(S) A total of 245 consenting Indian women who had undergone oocyte retrieval between April 2017 and mid-March 2020 were included. Each woman contributed one FF sample to the study. This was screened for six phthalate metabolites. The samples were collected before the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. INTERVENTION(S) Using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, the total levels of six phthalate metabolites were quantified in the FF of 245 women. Using linear regression models that were unadjusted and adjusted for maternal age and body mass index (BMI), we evaluated the association between the follicular metabolites in these women and their AFC, serum AMH levels, peak E2 levels, total number of oocytes, and MII stage oocytes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) To evaluate the impact of phthalate-induced ovarian toxicity on the ovarian reserve and ovarian function in Indian women undergoing ICSI by studying their accumulated levels in their FF. RESULT(S) For MiNP (a metabolite of di-isononyl phthalate), in linear regression models adjusted for age and BMI, we found that with increasing quartiles of follicular MiNP, there was a significant trend in the decrease in mean AFC (P-trend = 0.023) and a suggestive trend in the decrease in mean serum AMH levels (P-trend = 0.077). For MiDP (a metabolite of di-isodecyl phthalate), in the unadjusted regression model, we found that with increasing quartiles of follicular MiDP, there was a significant trend in the decrease in mean serum AMH levels (P-trend = 0.045). For MBP (a metabolite of dibutyl phthalate), in linear regression models adjusted for age and BMI, we found that with increasing quartiles of follicular MBP, there were significant trends in the decrease in the mean number of total oocytes retrieved (P-trend = 0.003), a decrease in the mean number of MII stage oocytes retrieved, (P-trend = 0.003) and a decrease in the mean peak E2 levels (P-trend = 0.016). Although we found that with increasing quartiles of follicular mono(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate there was a decrease in the mean number of total and MII stage oocytes retrieved and higher follicular MEP levels were negatively associated with the mean AFC and serum AMH levels, neither trend was statistically significant. We also found that although follicular MEP levels did not show an adverse impact on ovarian function, follicular mono(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate levels did not show an adverse impact on both the ovarian reserve and function. CONCLUSION In this study of 245 Indian women, higher accumulated FF levels of MiNP and MiDP were negatively associated with AFC and serum AMH levels, suggesting an adverse effect on the ovarian reserve. Higher accumulated FF levels of MBP were negatively associated with the total number of oocytes, MII stage oocytes, and peak E2 values, suggesting a negative impact on ovarian function. Although we found that phthalate-induced ovarian toxicity was statistically significant for selected phthalate metabolites, the role of the cumulative effect of multiple phthalates in the ovarian microenvironment cannot be ruled out and needs to be investigated further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Firuza Rajesh Parikh
- Jaslok-FertilTree International Fertility Centre, Department of Assisted Reproduction & Genetics, Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, India.
| | - Shonali Uttamchandani
- Jaslok-FertilTree International Fertility Centre, Department of Assisted Reproduction & Genetics, Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, India
| | - Sujatha Sawkar
- Jaslok-FertilTree International Fertility Centre, Department of Assisted Reproduction & Genetics, Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, India
| | - Madhavi Panpalia
- Jaslok-FertilTree International Fertility Centre, Department of Assisted Reproduction & Genetics, Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, India
| | - Nandkishor Naik
- Jaslok-FertilTree International Fertility Centre, Department of Assisted Reproduction & Genetics, Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, India
| | | | - Dhananjaya Kulkarni
- Jaslok-FertilTree International Fertility Centre, Department of Assisted Reproduction & Genetics, Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, India
| | - Rajesh Parikh
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, India
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Neff AM, Inman Z, Mourikes VE, Santacruz-Márquez R, Gonsioroski A, Laws MJ, Flaws JA. The role of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor in mediating the effects of mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate in mouse ovarian antral follicles†. Biol Reprod 2024; 110:632-641. [PMID: 38134965 PMCID: PMC10993471 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad178] [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: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a pervasive environmental toxicant used in the manufacturing of numerous consumer products, medical supplies, and building materials. DEHP is metabolized to mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP). MEHP is an endocrine disruptor that adversely affects folliculogenesis and steroidogenesis in the ovary, but its mechanism of action is not fully understood. Thus, we tested the hypothesis that the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) plays a functional role in MEHP-mediated disruption of folliculogenesis and steroidogenesis. CD-1 mouse antral follicles were isolated and cultured with MEHP (0-400 μM) in the presence or absence of the AHR antagonist CH223191 (1 μM). MEHP treatment reduced follicle growth over a 96-h period, and this effect was partially rescued by co-culture with CH223191. MEHP exposure alone increased expression of known AHR targets, cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes Cyp1a1 and Cyp1b1, and this induction was blocked by CH223191. MEHP reduced media concentrations of estrone and estradiol compared to control. This effect was mitigated by co-culture with CH223191. Moreover, MEHP reduced the expression of the estrogen-sensitive genes progesterone receptor (Pgr) and luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor (Lhcgr) and co-treatment with CH223191 blocked this effect. Collectively, these data indicate that MEHP activates the AHR to impair follicle growth and reduce estrogen production and signaling in ovarian antral follicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison M Neff
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Zane Inman
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Vasiliki E Mourikes
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Ramsés Santacruz-Márquez
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Andressa Gonsioroski
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Mary J Laws
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Jodi A Flaws
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
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5
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Gebrehiwot DG, Castro R, Hidalgo-Gárate JC, Robles AD, Durán-Guerrero E. Method development of stir bar sportive extraction coupled with thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for the analysis of phthalates in Peruvian pisco. J Chromatogr A 2023; 1711:464470. [PMID: 37890374 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2023.464470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
In this work, for the first time, a stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) coupled with thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS) was developed and validated for the determination of seven phthalates in Peruvian pisco. The phthalate compounds considered were dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), bis(2-ethylhexyl) hexahydrophthalate (BEHP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), di-isodecyl phthalate (DIDP) and di-isobutyl phthalate (DIBP). The best overall analytical conditions obtained from the optimization were as follow: extraction time of 120 min, size of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) twister (20 mm length x 1 mm thickness), NaCl content (20 %) and sample volume (40 mL). The in-house validation of SBSE/TD-GC-MS method was performed taking into account the ISO/IEC 17,025 requirements and EURACHEM/CITAC guideline. Under optimal conditions, very low limits of detection of 1.3-0.21 µg L-1 were obtained. Furthermore, the limits of quantification ranged from 4.2-70 µg L-1, and the correlation coefficients were found to be ≥ 0.991. The method was precise, with relative standard deviations (RSD, %) for inter twister repeatability and the inter day repeatability precisions from 1.1 to 11 and from 6.2 to 15.9, respectively. The pisco samples were analysed with recoveries between 91-124.4%, and DBP, BEHP, and BBP were the most commonly found compounds in the samples. The optimized methodology was also evaluated in terms of green character, and it obtained almost the best AGREE score when it was compared with other previous methods for the analysis of phthalates in alcoholic beverages. Therefore, the SBSE/TD-GC-MS method has proved to be suitable for routine practice because it is simple, less laborious, economical, precise, accurate and green, and it would be applicable for pisco safety regulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Desta Gebremedhin Gebrehiwot
- Analytical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Sciences-IVAGRO, University of Cadiz, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence (CeiA3), Polígono Río San Pedro, s/n, Puerto Real 11510, Cadiz, Spain
| | - Remedios Castro
- Analytical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Sciences-IVAGRO, University of Cadiz, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence (CeiA3), Polígono Río San Pedro, s/n, Puerto Real 11510, Cadiz, Spain
| | | | - Alicia Daniela Robles
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, National University of Mar del Plata (UNMDP), Funes 3350, CP 7600, Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Enrique Durán-Guerrero
- Analytical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Sciences-IVAGRO, University of Cadiz, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence (CeiA3), Polígono Río San Pedro, s/n, Puerto Real 11510, Cadiz, Spain.
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Hannon PR, Akin JW, Curry Jr TE. Exposure to a phthalate mixture disrupts ovulatory progesterone receptor signaling in human granulosa cells in vitro†. Biol Reprod 2023; 109:552-565. [PMID: 37552060 PMCID: PMC10577275 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad091] [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: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Exposure to phthalates disrupts ovarian function. However, limited studies have investigated the effects of phthalate mixtures on ovulation, especially in women. Human granulosa cells were used to test the hypothesis that exposure to a phthalate mixture (PHTmix) disrupts progesterone (P4)/progesterone receptor (PGR) signaling, which is a crucial pathway for ovulation. In addition, progestin and cyclic adenosine 3', 5'-monophosphate (cAMP) supplementation were tested as methods to circumvent phthalate toxicity. Granulosa cells from women undergoing in vitro fertilization were acclimated in culture to regain responsiveness to human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG; clinical luteinizing hormone analogue). Granulosa cells were treated with or without hCG, and with or without PHTmix (1-500 μg/ml; dimethylsulfoxide = vehicle control) for 0.5-36 h. In the supplementation experiments, cells were treated with or without R5020 (stable progestin), and with or without 8-Br-cAMP (stable cAMP analogue). Exposure to hCG + PHTmix decreased P4 levels and mRNA levels of steroidogenic factors when compared to hCG. This was accompanied by decreased mRNA levels of PGR and downstream P4/PGR ovulatory mediators (ADAM metallopeptidase with thrombospondin type 1 motif 1 (ADAMTS1), C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4), pentraxin 3 (PTX3), and regulator of G protein signaling 2 (RGS2)) in the hCG + PHTmix groups compared to hCG. Exposure to hCG + PHTmix 500 μg/ml decreased cAMP levels and protein kinase A activity compared to hCG. Supplementation with progestin in the hCG + PHTmix 500 μg/ml group did not rescue toxicity, while supplementation with cAMP restored PGR levels and downstream P4/PGR mediator levels to hCG levels. These findings suggest that phthalate mixture exposure inhibits P4/PGR signaling in human granulosa cells via decreased steroidogenesis, cAMP levels, and protein kinase A activity. Restored P4/PGR signaling with cAMP supplementation provides a potential cellular target for intervention of phthalate-induced ovulatory dysfunction in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick R Hannon
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | | | - Thomas E Curry Jr
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
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7
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Tarvainen I, Soto DA, Laws MJ, Björvang RD, Damdimopoulos A, Roos K, Li T, Kramer S, Li Z, Lavogina D, Visser N, Kallak TK, Lager S, Gidlöf S, Edlund E, Papaikonomou K, Öberg M, Olovsson M, Salumets A, Velthut-Meikas A, Flaws JA, Damdimopoulou P. Identification of phthalate mixture exposure targets in the human and mouse ovary in vitro. Reprod Toxicol 2023; 119:108393. [PMID: 37160244 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2023.108393] [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: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Chemical health risk assessment is based on single chemicals, but humans and wildlife are exposed to extensive mixtures of industrial substances and pharmaceuticals. Such exposures are life-long and correlate with multiple morbidities, including infertility. How combinatorial effects of chemicals should be handled in hazard characterization and risk assessment are open questions. Further, test systems are missing for several relevant health outcomes including reproductive health and fertility in women. Here, our aim was to screen multiple ovarian cell models for phthalate induced effects to identify biomarkers of exposure. We used an epidemiological cohort study to define different phthalate mixtures for in vitro testing. The mixtures were then tested in five cell models representing ovarian granulosa or stromal cells, namely COV434, KGN, primary human granulosa cells, primary mouse granulosa cells, and primary human ovarian stromal cells. Exposures at epidemiologically relevant levels did not markedly elicit cytotoxicity or affect steroidogenesis in short 24-hour exposure. However, significant effects on gene expression were identified by RNA-sequencing. Altogether, the exposures changed the expression of 124 genes on the average (9-479 genes per exposure) in human cell models, without obvious concentration or mixture-dependent effects on gene numbers. The mixtures stimulated distinct changes in different cell models. Despite differences, our analyses suggest commonalities in responses towards phthalates, which forms a starting point for follow-up studies on identification and validation of candidate biomarkers that could be developed to novel assays for regulatory testing or even into clinical tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilari Tarvainen
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Delia A Soto
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mary J Laws
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, United States
| | - Richelle D Björvang
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anastasios Damdimopoulos
- Bioinformatics and Expression Analysis Core Facility, Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kristine Roos
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia; Nova Vita Clinic, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Tianyi Li
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Stav Kramer
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, United States
| | - Zhong Li
- Roy J. Carver Biotechnology Center, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, United States
| | - Darja Lavogina
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu, Estonia; Institute of Chemistry, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Nadja Visser
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Theodora K Kallak
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Susanne Lager
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sebastian Gidlöf
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Erik Edlund
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kiriaki Papaikonomou
- Department of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mattias Öberg
- Unit of Integrative Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Matts Olovsson
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Andres Salumets
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu, Estonia; Department of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Agne Velthut-Meikas
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Jodi A Flaws
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, United States
| | - Pauliina Damdimopoulou
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
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8
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Zhang Y, Wan Y, Mu X, Gao R, Geng Y, Chen X, Li F, He J. Gestational dibutyl phthalate exposure impairs primordial folliculogenesis in mice through autophagy activation and NOTCH2 signal interruption. Food Chem Toxicol 2023:113861. [PMID: 37277016 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2023.113861] [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: 03/12/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Female reproductive lifespan is largely determined by the size of the primordial follicle pool, which is established in early life. Dibutyl phthalate (DBP), a popular plasticiser, is a known environmental endocrine disruptor that poses a potential threat to reproductive health. However, DBP impact on early oogenesis has been rarely reported. In this study, maternal exposure to DBP in gestation disrupted germ-cell cyst breakdown and primordial follicle assembly in foetal ovary, impairing female fertility in adulthood. Subsequently, altered autophagic flux with autophagosome accumulation was observed in DBP-exposed ovaries carrying CAG-RFP-EGFP-LC3 reporter genes, whereas autophagy inhibition by 3-methyladenine attenuated the impact of DBP on primordial folliculogenesis. Moreover, DBP exposure reduced the expression of NOTCH2 intracellular domain (NICD2) and decreased interactions between NICD2 and Beclin-l. NICD2 was observed within the autophagosomes in DBP-exposed ovaries. Furthermore, NICD2 overexpression partially restored primordial folliculogenesis. Furthermore, melatonin significantly relieved oxidative stress, decreased autophagy, and restored NOTCH2 signalling, consequently reversing the effect on folliculogenesis. Therefore, this study demonstrated that gestational DBP exposure disrupts primordial folliculogenesis by inducing autophagy, which targets NOTCH2 signalling, and this impact has long-term consequences on fertility in adulthood, strengthening the potential contribution of environmental chemicals to the development of ovarian dysfunctional diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhang
- Department of Health Toxicology, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, PR China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China
| | - Yiji Wan
- Department of Health Toxicology, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, PR China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China
| | - Xinyi Mu
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China; School of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China
| | - Rufei Gao
- Department of Health Toxicology, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, PR China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China
| | - Yanqing Geng
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China; School of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China
| | - Xuemei Chen
- Department of Health Toxicology, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, PR China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China
| | - Fangfang Li
- Department of Health Toxicology, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, PR China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China
| | - Junlin He
- Department of Health Toxicology, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, PR China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China.
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9
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Laws MJ, Meling DD, Deviney ARK, Santacruz-Márquez R, Flaws JA. Long-term exposure to di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, diisononyl phthalate, and a mixture of phthalates alters estrous cyclicity and/or impairs gestational index and birth rate in mice. Toxicol Sci 2023; 193:48-61. [PMID: 36929940 PMCID: PMC10176245 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfad030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Phthalates are found in plastic food containers, medical plastics, and personal care products. However, the effects of long-term phthalate exposure on female reproduction are unknown. Thus, this study investigated the effects of long-term, dietary phthalate exposure on estrous cyclicity and fertility in female mice. Adult female CD-1 mice were fed chow containing vehicle control (corn oil) or 0.15-1500 ppm of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), diisononyl phthalate (DiNP), or a mixture of phthalates (Mix) containing DEHP, DiNP, benzyl butyl phthalate, di-n-butyl phthalate, diisobutyl phthalate, and diethyl phthalate. Measurements of urinary phthalate metabolites confirmed effective delivery of phthalates. Phthalate consumption for 11 months did not affect body weight compared to control. DEHP exposure at 0.15 ppm for 3 and 5 months increased the time that the mice spent in estrus and decreased the time the mice spent in metestrus/diestrus compared to control. DiNP exposure (0.15-1500 ppm) did not significantly affect time in estrus or metestrus/diestrus compared to control. Mix exposure at 0.15 and 1500 ppm for 3 months decreased the time the mice spent in metestrus/diestrus and increased the time the mice spent in estrus compared to control. DEHP (0.15-1500 ppm) or Mix (0.15-1500 ppm) exposure did not affect fertility-related indices compared to control. However, long-term DiNP exposure at 1500 ppm significantly reduced gestational index and birth rate compared to control. These data indicate that chronic dietary exposure to phthalates alters estrous cyclicity, and long-term exposure to DiNP reduces gestational index and birth rate in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary J Laws
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61802, USA
| | - Daryl D Meling
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61802, USA
| | - Ashley R K Deviney
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61802, USA
| | - Ramsés Santacruz-Márquez
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61802, USA
| | - Jodi A Flaws
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61802, USA
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10
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Cinzori ME, Pacyga DC, Babayev E, Duncan FE, Li Z, Williams PL, Flaws JA, Strakovsky RS. Ovarian volume partially explains associations of phthalate biomarkers with anti-Müllerian hormone and estradiol in midlife women. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 172:107771. [PMID: 36724714 PMCID: PMC10012419 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.107771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Women are ubiquitously exposed to endocrine disruptors, including phthalates. Ovarian follicles undergoing folliculogenesis (indirectly measured by ovarian volume) produce anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and estradiol (E2). We evaluated associations of phthalates with ovarian volume to assess whether this explained prior positive associations of phthalates with AMH and E2. METHODS Women ages 45-54 years (n = 614) had transvaginal ultrasounds of right/left ovaries to calculate mean ovarian volume. Women provided up-to-four urine and blood samples for quantifying AMH (first serum sample), E2 (all serum samples), and nine phthalate metabolites (from pooled urine, representing six parent phthalates). Multivariable linear or logistic regression models (for individual phthalate biomarkers), as well as weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression (for mixture analyses) evaluated associations of phthalate biomarkers with ovarian volume. Using cross-sectional mediation analysis, we assessed whether associations of phthalates with ovarian volume partially explained those of phthalates with AMH or E2. RESULTS Most women were non-Hispanic White (68%) and pre-menopausal (67%) with higher urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations than U.S. women. In single-pollutant models, 10% increases in mono(3-carboxypropyl) phthalate (MCPP) and monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP) were associated with 0.44% (95% CI: -0.02%, 0.91%) and 0.62% (95% CI: 0.02%, 1.23%) larger ovarian volumes, respectively. As a cumulative mixture, 10% increases in the phthalate mixture were associated with 2.89% larger ovarian volume (95%CI: 0.27, 5.59) with MCPP (35%) and MBzP (41%) identified as major contributors. Higher ovarian volume due to a 10% increase in MBzP (indirect effect OR: 1.004; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.01) explained 16% of the positive association between MBzP and higher AMH, whereas higher ovarian volume due to a 10% increase in MCPP (indirect effect %Δ: 0.11; 95% CI: -0.01, 0.22) explained 23% of the positive association between MCPP and E2. CONCLUSION In this cross-sectional study, phthalates were associated with increased ovarian volume, with implications for midlife hormone production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria E Cinzori
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, United States; Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, United States; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, United States
| | - Diana C Pacyga
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, United States; Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, United States
| | - Elnur Babayev
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
| | - Francesca E Duncan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
| | - Zhong Li
- Roy J. Carver Biotechnology Center, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL 61801, United States
| | - Paige L Williams
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, United States; Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Jodi A Flaws
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL 61802, United States
| | - Rita S Strakovsky
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, United States; Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, United States.
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11
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Dan A, Zhang S, Chen Z, Dong J, Zheng W, Tu Y, Lin Z, Cai Z. Facile synthesis of Cu 2+-immobilized magnetic covalent organic frameworks for highly efficient enrichment and sensitive determination of five phthalate monoesters from mouse plasma with HPLC-MS/MS. Talanta 2023; 253:123923. [PMID: 36108515 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2022.123923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Development of a simple, highly selective, and sensitive analytical method for phthalate monoesters (mPAEs) remains a challenge due to the complexity of biological samples. To address this issue, Cu2+ immobilized magnetic covalent organic frameworks (Fe3O4@TtDt@Cu2+ composites) with core-shell structures were prepared to enhance the enrichment efficiency of mPAEs by a facile approach synthesis of COFs shells with inherent bifunctional groups on Fe3O4 NPs and further Cu2+ immobilization. The composites exhibit high specific surface area (348.1 m2 g-1), outstanding saturation magnetization (34.94 emu g-1), ordered mesoporous structure, Cu2+ immobilization, and excellent thermal stability. Accordingly, a magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) pretreatment technique based on Cu2+ immobilized COF composites combined with high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) was established, and key parameters including the adsorbent amount, adsorption time, elution solvent, etc. were examined in detail. The developed analytical method showed wide linear ranges (10-8000 ng L-1), low limit of detections (LODs, 2-10 ng L-1), and good correlation coefficients (R2 ≥ 0.9904) for the five mPAEs. Furthermore, the analytical method was also successfully applied to the highly sensitive detection of metabolite mPAEs in mouse plasma samples, indicating the promising application of the Fe3O4@TtDt@Cu2+ composites as a quick and efficient adsorbent in the sample pretreatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akang Dan
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Analytical Science for Food Safety and Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Analysis and Detection Technology for Food Safety, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350108, China
| | - Shasha Zhang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Analytical Science for Food Safety and Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Analysis and Detection Technology for Food Safety, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350108, China
| | - Zhongliang Chen
- Fujian Inspection and Research Institute for Product Quality, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350002, China
| | - Jinghan Dong
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Analytical Science for Food Safety and Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Analysis and Detection Technology for Food Safety, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350108, China
| | - Wenjun Zheng
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Analytical Science for Food Safety and Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Analysis and Detection Technology for Food Safety, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350108, China
| | - Yuxin Tu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Analytical Science for Food Safety and Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Analysis and Detection Technology for Food Safety, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350108, China
| | - Zian Lin
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Analytical Science for Food Safety and Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Analysis and Detection Technology for Food Safety, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350108, China.
| | - Zongwei Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental and Biological Analysis, Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, 224 Waterloo Road, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, SAR, PR China.
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12
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Begum TF, Carpenter D. Health effects associated with phthalate activity on nuclear receptors. REVIEWS ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 2022; 37:567-583. [PMID: 34592072 DOI: 10.1515/reveh-2020-0162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Phthalates are endocrine disruptors, widely used as plasticizers to impart flexibility in plastics, and as solvents in personal care products. Due to their nearly ubiquitous use in consumer products, most humans are exposed to phthalates daily. There has been extensive research on the reproductive health effects associated with phthalate exposure, but less attention has been paid to other actions. This review aims to summarize the known action of phthalates on different nuclear receptors. Some phthalates bind to and activate the estrogen receptor, making them weakly estrogenic. However, other phthalates antagonize androgen receptors. Some high molecular weight phthalates antagonize thyroid receptors, affecting metabolism. Several phthalates activate and interfere with the normal function of different peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), receptors that have critical roles in lipid metabolism and energy homeostasis. Some phthalates activate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, which is critical for xenobiotic metabolism. Although phthalates have a short half-life in vivo, because people are continuously exposed, studies should examine the health effects of phthalates associated with long-term exposure. There is limited research on the effects of phthalates on health outcomes aside from reproductive function, particularly concerning are childhood adiposity, behavior, and learning. There is also limited information on actions of phthalates not mediated via nuclear receptors. Humans are exposed to multiple chemicals simultaneously, and how chemical mixtures act on nuclear receptor activity needs study. Although we know a great deal about phthalates, there is still much that remains uncertain. Future studies need to further examine their other potential health effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thoin Farzana Begum
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University at Albany, Rensselaer, NY, USA
| | - David Carpenter
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University at Albany, Rensselaer, NY, USA
- Institute for Health and the Environment, University at Albany, Rensselaer, NY, USA
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13
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Parikh FR, Uttamchandani S, Naik N, Panpalia M, Sanap M, Kulkarni D, Sinkar P, Khandare P, Makwana P, Gawas S, Pandole A, Parikh R. Significant changes in follicular fluid phthalate metabolite levels reflect the lifestyle changes brought about by the strict COVID-19 lockdown in India. F&S SCIENCE 2022; 3:237-245. [PMID: 35691586 PMCID: PMC9181629 DOI: 10.1016/j.xfss.2022.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Firuza Rajesh Parikh
- Jaslok-FertilTree International Fertility Centre, Department of Assisted Reproduction & Genetics. Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, India.
| | - Shonali Uttamchandani
- Jaslok-FertilTree International Fertility Centre, Department of Assisted Reproduction & Genetics. Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, India
| | - Nandkishor Naik
- Jaslok-FertilTree International Fertility Centre, Department of Assisted Reproduction & Genetics. Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, India
| | - Madhavi Panpalia
- Jaslok-FertilTree International Fertility Centre, Department of Assisted Reproduction & Genetics. Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, India
| | - Mangesh Sanap
- Jaslok-FertilTree International Fertility Centre, Department of Assisted Reproduction & Genetics. Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, India
| | - Dhananjaya Kulkarni
- Jaslok-FertilTree International Fertility Centre, Department of Assisted Reproduction & Genetics. Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, India
| | | | - Pratiksha Khandare
- Jaslok-FertilTree International Fertility Centre, Department of Assisted Reproduction & Genetics. Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, India
| | - Prashant Makwana
- Jaslok-FertilTree International Fertility Centre, Department of Assisted Reproduction & Genetics. Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, India
| | - Smita Gawas
- Jaslok-FertilTree International Fertility Centre, Department of Assisted Reproduction & Genetics. Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, India
| | - Anahita Pandole
- Jaslok-FertilTree International Fertility Centre, Department of Assisted Reproduction & Genetics. Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, India
| | - Rajesh Parikh
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, India
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14
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Phthalate monoesters act through peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors in the mouse ovary. Reprod Toxicol 2022; 110:113-123. [PMID: 35421560 PMCID: PMC9749796 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2022.04.002] [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: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Widespread use of phthalates as solvents and plasticizers leads to everyday human exposure. The mechanisms by which phthalate metabolites act as ovarian toxicants are not fully understood. Thus, this study tested the hypothesis that the phthalate metabolites monononyl phthalate (MNP), monoisononyl phthalate (MiNP), mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP), monobutyl phthalate (MBP), monoisobutyl phthalate (MiBP), and monoethyl phthalate (MEP) act through peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) in mouse granulosa cells. Primary granulosa cells were isolated from CD-1 mice and cultured with vehicle control (dimethyl sulfoxide) or MNP, MiNP, MEHP, MBzP, MBP, MiBP, or MEP (0.4-400 μM) for 24 h. Following culture, qPCR was performed for known PPAR targets, Fabp4 and Cd36. Treatment with the phthalate metabolites led to significant changes in Fabp4 and Cd36 expression relative to control in dose-dependent or nonmonotonic fashion. Primary granulosa cell cultures were also transfected with a DNA plasmid containing luciferase expressed under the control of a consensus PPAR response element. MNP, MiNP, MEHP, and MBzP caused dose-dependent changes in expression of luciferase, indicating the presence of functional endogenous PPAR receptors in the granulosa cells that respond to phthalate metabolites. The effects of phthalate metabolites on PPAR target genes were inhibited in most of the cultures by co-treatment with the PPAR-γ inhibitor, T0070907, or with the PPAR-α inhibitor, GW6471. Collectively, these data suggest that some phthalate metabolites may act through endogenous PPAR nuclear receptors in the ovary and that the differing structures of the phthalates result in different levels of activity.
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15
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Fletcher EJ, Santacruz-Márquez R, Mourikes VE, Neff AM, Laws MJ, Flaws JA. Effects of Phthalate Mixtures on Ovarian Folliculogenesis and Steroidogenesis. TOXICS 2022; 10:toxics10050251. [PMID: 35622664 PMCID: PMC9143992 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10050251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The female reproductive system is dependent upon the health of the ovaries. The ovaries are responsible for regulating reproduction and endocrine function. Throughout a female’s reproductive lifespan, the ovaries undergo continual structural changes that are crucial for the maturation of ovarian follicles and the production of sex steroid hormones. Phthalates are known to target the ovaries at critical time points and to disrupt normal reproductive function. The US population is constantly exposed to measurable levels of phthalates. Phthalates can also pass placental barriers and affect the developing offspring. Phthalates are frequently prevalent as mixtures; however, most previous studies have focused on the effects of single phthalates on the ovary and female reproduction. Thus, the effects of exposure to phthalate mixtures on ovarian function and the female reproductive system remain unclear. Following a brief introduction to the ovary and its major roles, this review covers what is currently known about the effects of phthalate mixtures on the ovary, focusing primarily on their effects on folliculogenesis and steroidogenesis. Furthermore, this review focuses on the effects of phthalate mixtures on female reproductive outcomes. Finally, this review emphasizes the need for future research on the effects of environmentally relevant phthalate mixtures on the ovary and female reproduction.
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16
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Panagiotou EM, Ojasalo V, Damdimopoulou P. Phthalates, ovarian function and fertility in adulthood. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab 2021; 35:101552. [PMID: 34238683 DOI: 10.1016/j.beem.2021.101552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Phthalates are a family of high-production volume industrial chemicals used in the manufacture of plastics. Some phthalates are regulated as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and reproductive toxicants based on adverse effects in the male. Potential effects in females are less understood although exposure levels can be higher in women compared to men. Here, we review the literature on the effects of phthalate exposures in adulthood on ovarian function and fertility in women. Experimental studies using cell cultures and rodents combined with human evidence from epidemiological studies suggest that phthalates pose a hazard to ovaries. Phthalates can disrupt follicle growth pattern, increase oxidative stress and cause follicle death. These effects could lead to infertility, faster depletion of ovarian reserve, and earlier reproductive senescence. However, more studies using more realistic exposure levels will be needed to properly assess the risks in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleftheria M Panagiotou
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, SE-14186 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Venla Ojasalo
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku FI-20520, Finland; Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku FI-20520, Finland.
| | - Pauliina Damdimopoulou
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, SE-14186 Stockholm, Sweden.
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17
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Jauregui EJ, Lock J, Rasmussen L, Craig ZR. Mono-n-Butyl Phthalate Distributes to the Mouse Ovary and Liver and Alters the Expression of Phthalate-Metabolizing Enzymes in Both Tissues. Toxicol Sci 2021; 183:117-127. [PMID: 34175954 PMCID: PMC8502470 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfab085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Humans are exposed to phthalates daily via items such as personal care products and medications. Reproductive toxicity has been documented in mice exposed to di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP); however, quantitative evidence of its metabolite, mono-n-butyl phthalate (MBP), reaching the mouse ovary and its effects on hepatic and ovarian biotransformation enzymes in treated mice is still lacking. Liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was employed to quantify MBP levels in liver, serum, and ovary from mice treated with a single or repeated exposure to the parent compound, DBP. Adult CD-1 females were pipet fed once or for 10 days with vehicle (tocopherol-stripped corn oil) or DBP at 1, 10, and 1000 mg/kg/day. Tissues and serum were collected at 2, 6, 12, and 24 h after the single or final dose and subjected to LC-MS/MS. Ovaries and livers were processed for qPCR analysis of selected phthalate-associated biotransformation enzymes. Regardless of duration of exposure (single vs repeated), MBP was detected in the tissues of DBP-treated mice. In single dose mice, MBP levels peaked at ≤6 h and fell close to background levels by 24 h post-exposure. Following the last repeated dose, MBP levels peaked at ≤2 h and fell to background levels by 12 h. Hepatic and ovarian expression of Lpl, Aldh1a1, Adh1, Ugt1a6a, and Cyp1b1 were altered in DBP-treated mice in a time- and dose-specific manner. These findings confirm that MBP reaches the mouse liver and ovary after oral exposure to DBP and influences the expression of hepatic and ovarian phthalate-associated biotransformation enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estela J Jauregui
- School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA
| | - Jasmine Lock
- Environmental Health Sciences Transformative Research Undergraduate Experience Program, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA
| | - Lindsay Rasmussen
- School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA
| | - Zelieann R Craig
- School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA,BIO5 Institute, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA,To whom correspondence should be addressed at School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences, The University of Arizona, 1230 N Cherry Avenue, BSRL 355, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA. E-mail:
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18
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Ovarian Toxicity and Epigenetic Mechanisms of Phthalates and Their Metabolites. Curr Med Sci 2021; 41:236-249. [PMID: 33877540 DOI: 10.1007/s11596-021-2342-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Ovary plays an important role in the female reproductive system. The maintenance and regulation of ovarian function are affected by various physical and chemical factors. With the development of industrialization, environmental pollutants have caused great harm to public health. Phthalates, as a class of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), are synthesized and used in large quantities as plasticizers due to their chemical properties. They are easily released into environment because of their noncovalent interactions with substances, causing human exposure and possibly impairing ovary. In recent years, more and more attention has been paid to the role of epigenetics in the occurrence and development of diseases. And it is urgent to study the role of methylation, gene imprinting, miRNA, and other epigenetic mechanisms in reproductive toxicology.
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Huang PC, Kuo PL, Chang WH, Shih SF, Chang WT, Lee CC. Prenatal Phthalates Exposure and Cord Thyroid Hormones: A Birth Cohort Study in Southern Taiwan. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18084323. [PMID: 33921744 PMCID: PMC8074059 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18084323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The regulation of thyroid hormones in the early stages of gestation plays a crucial role in the outcome of a pregnancy. Furthermore, thyroid hormones are fundamental for the fetal development of all organs, including endocrine hormone changes in uterus. Endocrine disrupting chemicals have been shown to have an effect on thyroid hormone homeostasis in newborns, which affects their later development. Few studies have proposed how phthalates could alter thyroid function through several mechanisms and the possible effects on thyroid hormone homeostasis of phthalates on pregnant women. However, the effects of cord blood phthalates and prenatal phthalate exposure on thyroid hormones in newborns remain unclear. OBJECTIVES We aim to follow up on our previous established subjects and determine the correlation between phthalate exposure and thyroid hormones in pregnant women and newborns. MATERIALS AND METHODS We recruited 61 pregnant women from the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of a medical hospital in southern Taiwan and followed up. High performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS) was used to analyze urine samples for five phthalate metabolites. Serum levels of thyroid hormones were analyzed using electrochemoluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) method. We used Spearman and Pearson correlation coefficients to evaluate the correlation between each phthalate metabolites in serum and the thyroid hormone levels in fetus and parturient. Finally, multiple logistic regression was used to explore the relationship between hormones and their corresponding phthalate metabolites in cord blood. RESULTS High MBP in cord blood was correlated with negative cord serum TSH in newborns (r = -0.25, p < 0.06). By using multiple linear regression after adjusting for potential confounders (gestational and maternal age), cord serum MBP levels showed a negative association with cord serum TSH (β = 0.217, p < 0.05), cord serum T4 (β = 1.71, p < 0.05) and cord serum T4 × TSH (β = 42.8, p < 0.05), respectively. CONCLUSION We found that levels of cord serum TSH and T4 in newborns was significantly negatively associated with cord serum MBP levels after adjusting for significant covariate. The fall in TSH in newborns may potentially be delaying their development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Po-Chin Huang
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 350, Taiwan; (P.-C.H.); (W.-T.C.)
- Research Center for Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung 406040, Taiwan
| | - Pao-Lin Kuo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical College, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan;
| | - Wei-Hsiang Chang
- Department of Food Safety/Hygiene and Risk Management, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan;
- Research Center of Environmental Trace Toxic Substances, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Fang Shih
- Department of Health Administration, College of Health Professions, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USA;
| | - Wan-Ting Chang
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 350, Taiwan; (P.-C.H.); (W.-T.C.)
| | - Ching-Chang Lee
- Research Center of Environmental Trace Toxic Substances, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Medical College, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-6-274-4412
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Warner GR, Meling DD, De La Torre KM, Wang K, Flaws JA. Environmentally relevant mixtures of phthalates and phthalate metabolites differentially alter the cell cycle and apoptosis in mouse neonatal ovaries†. Biol Reprod 2021; 104:806-817. [PMID: 33511402 PMCID: PMC8023422 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Phthalates are a group of chemicals used as additives in various consumer products, medical equipment, and personal care products. Phthalates and their metabolites are consistently detected in humans, indicating widespread and continuous exposure to multiple phthalates. Thus, environmentally relevant mixtures of phthalates and phthalate metabolites were investigated to determine the effects of phthalates on the function of the ovary during the neonatal period of development. Neonatal ovaries from CD-1 mice were cultured with dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO; vehicle control), phthalate mixture (0.1-100 μg/mL), or phthalate metabolite mixture (0.1-100 μg/mL). The phthalate mixture was composed of 35% diethyl phthalate, 21% di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, 15% dibutyl phthalate, 15% diisononyl phthalate, 8% diisobutyl phthalate, and 5% benzylbutyl phthalate. The phthalate metabolite mixture was composed of 37% monoethyl phthalate, 19% mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, 15% monobutyl phthalate, 10% monoisononyl phthalate, 10% monoisobutyl phthalate, and 8% monobenzyl phthalate. After 96 h of culture, ovaries were harvested for histological analysis of folliculogenesis, gene expression analysis of cell cycle and apoptosis regulators, and immune staining for cell proliferation and apoptosis. The metabolite mixture significantly decreased the number and percentage of abnormal follicles (100 μg/mL) compared to controls. The metabolite mixture also significantly increased the expression of cell cycle inhibitors (100 μg/mL) and the antiapoptotic factor Bcl2l10 (10 μg/mL) compared to controls. The phthalate mixture did not significantly alter gene expression or follicle counts, but ovaries exposed to the phthalate mixture (0.1 μg/mL) exhibited marginally significantly increased apoptosis as revealed by DNA fragmentation staining. Overall, these data show that parent phthalates and phthalate metabolites differentially impact ovarian function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genoa R Warner
- Department of Comparative Bioscience, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Daryl D Meling
- Department of Comparative Bioscience, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Kathy M De La Torre
- Department of Comparative Bioscience, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Karen Wang
- Department of Comparative Bioscience, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Jodi A Flaws
- Department of Comparative Bioscience, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
- Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
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Hughes JR, Soto-Heras S, Muller CH, Miller DJ. Phthalates in Albumin from Human Serum: Implications for Assisted Reproductive Technology. F&S REVIEWS 2021; 2:160-168. [PMID: 36268475 PMCID: PMC9580017 DOI: 10.1016/j.xfnr.2020.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Albumin, a vital protein in cell culture systems, is derived from whole blood or blood products. The culture of human gametes and developing embryos for assisted reproduction (ART) uses albumin of human origin. Human serum albumin (HSA) is derived from expired blood obtained from blood banks. This blood has been stored in polyvinyl chloride bags made clear and flexible with di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP). But DEHP can leach from the bags into stored blood and co-fractionate with HSA during albumin isolation. DEHP and its metabolite mono-ethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP), are known endocrine disruptors that are reported to have negative effects when directly supplemented in media for IVF using gametes from a variety of animals. Therefore, the contamination of ART media with DEHP and MEHP through HSA supplementation may have effects on the outcomes of ART procedures. While the embryology laboratory is strictly monitored to prevent a wide variety of contamination, phthalate contamination of HSA has not been broadly examined. This review outlines the function of HSA in ART procedures and the production of HSA from whole blood. Finally, the review highlights the effects of acute phthalate exposures on gametes during in vitro procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer R. Hughes
- Department of Animal Sciences and Institute of Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1207 West Gregory Drive, Urbana, IL 61801, Phone 217-333-3408
| | - Sandra Soto-Heras
- Department of Animal Sciences and Institute of Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1207 West Gregory Drive, Urbana, IL 61801, Phone 217-333-3408
| | | | - David J. Miller
- Department of Animal Sciences and Institute of Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1207 West Gregory Drive, Urbana, IL 61801, Phone 217-333-3408
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22
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Abstract
Endocrine disrupting chemicals pose a threat to health and reproduction. Plasticizers such as phthalates and bisphenols are particularly problematic because they are present in many consumer products and exposure can begin in utero and continue throughout the lifetime of the individual. Evidence suggests that these chemicals can have ancestral and transgenerational effects, making them a huge public health concern for the reproductive health of current and future generations. Studies performed in rodents or using rodent- or human-derived tissues have been critical for understanding the toxic effects of plasticizers on the ovary and their mechanisms of action. This review addresses current in vitro and rodent-based in vivo studies investigating the effects of bisphenols and phthalates on ovarian health, female reproduction, and correlations between human exposure and reproductive pathologies.
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Female Fertility and Environmental Pollution. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17238802. [PMID: 33256215 PMCID: PMC7730072 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17238802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
A realistic picture of our world shows that it is heavily polluted everywhere. Coastal regions and oceans are polluted by farm fertilizer, manure runoff, sewage and industrial discharges, and large isles of waste plastic are floating around, impacting sea life. Terrestrial ecosystems are contaminated by heavy metals and organic chemicals that can be taken up by and accumulate in crop plants, and water tables are heavily contaminated by untreated industrial discharges. As deadly particulates can drift far, poor air quality has become a significant global problem and one that is not exclusive to major industrialized cities. The consequences are a dramatic impairment of our ecosystem and biodiversity and increases in degenerative or man-made diseases. In this respect, it has been demonstrated that environmental pollution impairs fertility in all mammalian species. The worst consequences are observed for females since the number of germ cells present in the ovary is fixed during fetal life, and the cells are not renewable. This means that any pollutant affecting hormonal homeostasis and/or the reproductive apparatus inevitably harms reproductive performance. This decline will have important social and economic consequences that can no longer be overlooked.
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An L. Exposure to mono (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate facilitates apoptosis and pyroptosis of human endometrial microvascular endothelial cells through NLRP3 inflammasome. J Appl Toxicol 2020; 41:755-764. [PMID: 33159713 DOI: 10.1002/jat.4106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Mono (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) is a major metabolite of di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). This study aimed to observe the toxic effect of MEHP on human endometrial microvascular endothelial cells (HEMECs) and its potential molecular mechanism. HEMECs were exposed to different concentrations of MEHP (0, 50, 100, and 200 nM). Cell viability and apoptosis were assessed by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and flow cytometry assays. Western blot was performed to examine the expression of apoptosis-related proteins (Bcl-2, Bax, and Caspase-3). Moreover, the expression of pyroptosis-related Caspase-1 was detected by western blot and immunofluorescence assays. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release levels were evaluated in HEMECs treated with MEHP and/or Caspase-1 inhibitor Ac-YVAD-CHO. After exposure to MEHP, NLRP3 expression was examined by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blot. LDH release and apoptosis levels were tested in HEMECs induced by MEHP and/or siNLRP3. MEHP significantly induced cell viability and inhibited apoptosis for HEMECs, with a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, Bcl-2/Bax ratio was distinctly reduced and Caspase-3 expression was increased in HEMECs after exposure to MEHP. Western blot and immunofluorescence results confirmed that MEHP markedly augmented Caspase-1 expression in HEMECs. Furthermore, LDH release levels were fortified in HEMECs treated with MEHP, which were improved following cotreatment with Ac-YVAD-CHO. At the mRNA and protein levels, NLRP3 expression was prominently increased in HEMECs exposed to MEHP. NLRP3 knockdown markedly ameliorated the increase in LDH release and apoptosis induced by MEHP exposure in HEMECs. Our findings suggested that exposure to MEHP facilitates apoptosis and pyroptosis of HEMECs through NLRP3 inflammasome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijuan An
- Department of Gynecology, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou, China
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25
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Yang S, Arcanjo RB, Nowak RA. The effects of the phthalate DiNP on reproduction†. Biol Reprod 2020; 104:305-316. [PMID: 33125036 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Di-isononyl phthalate (DiNP) is a high molecular weight, general purpose, plasticizer used primarily in the manufacture of polymers and consumer products. It can be metabolized rapidly and does not bioaccumulate. The primary metabolite of DiNP is monoisononyl-phthalate (MiNP) and the secondary metabolites include three oxidative derivatives of DiNP, which have been identified mainly in urine: mono-oxoisononyl phthalate (MOINP or oxo-MiNP), mono-carboxyisooctyl phthalate (MCIOP, MCOP or cx-MiNP), and mono-hydroxyisononyl phthalate (MHINP or OH-MiNP). The secondary metabolites are very sensitive biomarkers of DiNP exposure while primary metabolites are not. As the usage of DiNP worldwide increases, studies evaluating its potential reproductive toxicity are becoming more prevalent in the literature. In studies on female animals, the researchers found that the exposure to DiNP appears to induce negative effects on ovarian function and fertility in animal models. Whether or not DiNP has direct effects on the uterus is still controversial, and the effects on human reproduction require much more research. Studies on males indicate that DiNP exposure has disruptive effects on male reproduction and fertility. Occupational studies also indicate that the exposure to DiNP might induce negative effects on male reproduction, but larger cohort studies are needed to confirm this. This review presents an overview of the literature regarding the reproductive effects of exposure to DiNP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuhong Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China.,Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
| | | | - Romana A Nowak
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
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Paoli D, Pallotti F, Dima AP, Albani E, Alviggi C, Causio F, Dioguardi CC, Conforti A, Ciriminna R, Fabozzi G, Giuffrida G, Gualtieri R, Minasi MG, Ochetti S, Pisaturo V, Racca C, Rienzi L, Sarcina E, Scarica C, Tomasi G, Verlengia C, Villeggia R, Zullo F, Lenzi A, Botrè F, De Santis L. Phthalates and Bisphenol A: Presence in Blood Serum and Follicular Fluid of Italian Women Undergoing Assisted Reproduction Techniques. TOXICS 2020; 8:toxics8040091. [PMID: 33096627 PMCID: PMC7712248 DOI: 10.3390/toxics8040091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Background: folliculogenesis is a strictly regulated process that may be affected by endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) through sometimes not so clear molecular mechanisms. Methods: we conducted a multicentric observational study involving six fertility centers across Italy, prospectively recruiting 122 women attending a fertility treatment. Recruited women had age ≤42 years, and normal ovarian reserve. Blood and follicular fluid samples were taken for EDCs measurement using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and each woman completed an epidemiological questionnaire. Results: The main EDCs found were monobutyl phthalate (MBP) (median blood: 8.96 ng/mL, follicular fluid 6.43 ng/mL), monoethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP) (median blood: 9.16 ng/mL, follicular fluid 7.68 ng/mL) and bisphenol A (BPA) (median blood: 1.89 ng/mL, follicular fluid 1.86 ng/mL). We found that serum MBP concentration was significantly associated with the considered area (p < 0.001, adj. mean: 7.61 ng/mL, 14.40 ng/mL, 13.56 ng/mL; Area 1: Milan–Turin, Area 2: Rome–Naples; Area 3: Catania–Bari, respectively) but negatively with home plastic food packaging (p = 0.004). Follicular MBP was associated with irregular cycles (p = 0.019). No association was detected between EDCs and eating habits and other clinical and epidemiological features. Conclusions: This study represents the first Italian biomonitoring of plastic EDCs in follicular fluid, laying the basis for future prospective evaluation on oocyte quality before assisted reproduction techniques (ART).
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Affiliation(s)
- Donatella Paoli
- Laboratory of Seminology—Sperm Bank “Loredana Gandini”, Department of Experimental Medicine, “Sapienza”, University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.P.); (A.P.D.); (A.L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-064-997-0715
| | - Francesco Pallotti
- Laboratory of Seminology—Sperm Bank “Loredana Gandini”, Department of Experimental Medicine, “Sapienza”, University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.P.); (A.P.D.); (A.L.)
| | - Anna Pia Dima
- Laboratory of Seminology—Sperm Bank “Loredana Gandini”, Department of Experimental Medicine, “Sapienza”, University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.P.); (A.P.D.); (A.L.)
| | - Elena Albani
- Humanitas Fertility Center, Department of Gynecology, Division of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Humanitas Clinical and Research Hospital—IRCCS, 20089 Milan, Italy; (E.A.); (C.C.D.)
| | - Carlo Alviggi
- Istituto per l’Endocrinologia e l’Oncologia sperimentale Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Franco Causio
- Medical Centre San Luca, 70124 Bari, Italy; (F.C.); (E.S.)
| | - Carola Conca Dioguardi
- Humanitas Fertility Center, Department of Gynecology, Division of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Humanitas Clinical and Research Hospital—IRCCS, 20089 Milan, Italy; (E.A.); (C.C.D.)
| | - Alessandro Conforti
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico II, 80138 Naples, Italy;
| | | | - Gemma Fabozzi
- Clinica Valle Giulia, G.en.e.r.a. Centers for Reproductive Medicine, 00197 Rome, Italy; (G.F.); (L.R.)
| | | | - Roberto Gualtieri
- Department Biology, University of Naples Federico II, University of Naples Federico II, 80138 Naples, Italy;
| | - Maria Giulia Minasi
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, European Hospital-Rome, 00149 Rome, Italy;
| | - Simona Ochetti
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Gynecology and Obstetrics 1 Physiopathology of Reproduction and IVF Unit, S. Anna Hospital, University of Torino, 10124 Torino, Italy; (S.O.); (C.R.); (F.Z.)
| | - Valerio Pisaturo
- Reproductive Medicine Department, International Evangelical Hospital, 16122 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Cinzia Racca
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Gynecology and Obstetrics 1 Physiopathology of Reproduction and IVF Unit, S. Anna Hospital, University of Torino, 10124 Torino, Italy; (S.O.); (C.R.); (F.Z.)
| | - Laura Rienzi
- Clinica Valle Giulia, G.en.e.r.a. Centers for Reproductive Medicine, 00197 Rome, Italy; (G.F.); (L.R.)
| | - Elena Sarcina
- Medical Centre San Luca, 70124 Bari, Italy; (F.C.); (E.S.)
| | - Catello Scarica
- Casa di cura Villa Salaria in partnership with Institut Marques, 00139 Rome, Italy;
| | - Giovanna Tomasi
- CRA, Assisted Reproductive Center, 95128 Catania, Italy; (G.G.); (G.T.)
| | - Cristina Verlengia
- UOSD Centro PMA Sant’ Anna—ASL Roma 1, 00198 Rome, Italy; (C.V.); (R.V.)
| | - Rita Villeggia
- UOSD Centro PMA Sant’ Anna—ASL Roma 1, 00198 Rome, Italy; (C.V.); (R.V.)
| | - Federica Zullo
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Gynecology and Obstetrics 1 Physiopathology of Reproduction and IVF Unit, S. Anna Hospital, University of Torino, 10124 Torino, Italy; (S.O.); (C.R.); (F.Z.)
| | - Andrea Lenzi
- Laboratory of Seminology—Sperm Bank “Loredana Gandini”, Department of Experimental Medicine, “Sapienza”, University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.P.); (A.P.D.); (A.L.)
| | - Francesco Botrè
- Department of Experimental Medicine, “Sapienza”, University of Rome, 00153 Rome, Italy;
- Laboratorio Antidoping, Federazione Medico Sportiva Italiana, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia De Santis
- IVF Unit, San Raffaele Scientific Institute Deparment Ob/Gyn, Vita-Salute University, 20132 Milan, Italy;
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Meling DD, Warner GR, Szumski JR, Gao L, Gonsioroski AV, Rattan S, Flaws JA. The effects of a phthalate metabolite mixture on antral follicle growth and sex steroid synthesis in mice. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2019; 388:114875. [PMID: 31884101 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2019.114875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2019] [Revised: 12/21/2019] [Accepted: 12/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Phthalates are used as solvents and plasticizers in a wide variety of consumer products. Most people are exposed to phthalates as parent compounds through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact. However, these parent compounds are quickly metabolized to more active compounds in several tissues. Although studies indicate that phthalate metabolites reach the ovary, little is known about whether they are ovarian toxicants. Thus, this study tested the hypothesis that phthalate metabolites influence the expression of genes involved in sex steroid synthesis, cell cycle regulation, cell death, oxidative stress, and key receptors, as well as production of sex steroid hormones by mouse antral follicles. The selected metabolite mixture consisted of 36.7% monoethyl phthalate (MEP), 19.4% mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), 15.3% monobutyl phthalate (MBP), 10.2% monoisobutyl phthalate (MiBP), 10.2% monoisononyl phthalate (MiNP), and 8.2% monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP). Antral follicles from adult CD-1 mice were cultured for 96 h with vehicle control (DMSO) or metabolite mixture (0.065-325 μg/mL). Growth of follicles in culture was monitored every 24 h. Total RNA was isolated after 24 and 96 h and used for gene expression analysis. Media were collected and subjected to hormone analysis. Exposure to the phthalate mixture inhibited follicle growth, decreased expression of steroidogenic enzymes, and altered the levels of sex steroids relative to control. The mixture, primarily at the two highest doses, also altered expression of cell cycle regulators, apoptotic factors, oxidative stress genes, and some receptors. Collectively, these data suggest that mixtures of phthalate metabolites can directly impact follicle health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daryl D Meling
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2001 S. Lincoln Ave., Urbana, IL 61802, USA.
| | - Genoa R Warner
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2001 S. Lincoln Ave., Urbana, IL 61802, USA.
| | - Jason R Szumski
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2001 S. Lincoln Ave., Urbana, IL 61802, USA.
| | - Liying Gao
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2001 S. Lincoln Ave., Urbana, IL 61802, USA.
| | - Andressa V Gonsioroski
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2001 S. Lincoln Ave., Urbana, IL 61802, USA.
| | - Saniya Rattan
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2001 S. Lincoln Ave., Urbana, IL 61802, USA.
| | - Jodi A Flaws
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2001 S. Lincoln Ave., Urbana, IL 61802, USA; Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1206 W. Gregory Dr., Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
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