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Fishman R, Kralj-Fišer S, Marglit S, Koren L, Vortman Y. Fathers and sons, mothers and daughters: Sex-specific genetic architecture for fetal testosterone in a wild mammal. Horm Behav 2024; 161:105525. [PMID: 38452612 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2024.105525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Testosterone plays a critical role in mediating fitness-related traits in many species. Although it is highly responsive to environmental and social conditions, evidence from several species show a heritable component to its individual variation. Despite the known effects that in utero testosterone exposure have on adult fitness, the heritable component of individual testosterone variation in fetuses is mostly unexplored. Furthermore, testosterone has sex-differential effects on fetal development, i.e., a specific level may be beneficial for male fetuses but detrimental for females, producing sexual conflict. Such sexual conflict may be resolved by the evolution of a sex-specific genetic architecture of the trait. Here, we quantified fetal testosterone levels in a wild species, free-ranging nutrias (Myocastor coypus) using hair-testing and estimated testosterone heritability between parent and offspring from the same and opposite sex. We found that in utero accumulated hair testosterone levels were heritable between parents and offspring of the same sex. Moreover, there was a low additive genetic covariance between the sexes, and a low cross-sex genetic correlation, suggesting a potential for sex-specific trait evolution, expressed early on, in utero.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Fishman
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel(1); The Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 5290002, Israel.
| | - Simona Kralj-Fišer
- Scientific and Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Jovan Hadži Institute of Biology, Evolutionary Zoology Laboratory, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Sivan Marglit
- Hula Research Center, Department of Animal Sciences, Tel-Hai College, Upper Galilee 1220800, Israel
| | - Lee Koren
- The Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 5290002, Israel.
| | - Yoni Vortman
- Hula Research Center, Department of Animal Sciences, Tel-Hai College, Upper Galilee 1220800, Israel; MIGAL-Galilee Research Institute, 11016 Kiryat Shmona, Israel
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Meng Y, Thornburg L, Dreisbach C, Orzolek C, Kautz A, Murphy H, Rivera-Núñez Z, Wang C, Miller R, O'Connor T, Barrett E. The role of prenatal maternal sex steroid hormones in weight and adiposity at birth and growth trajectories during infancy. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4178000. [PMID: 38659862 PMCID: PMC11042427 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4178000/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Objective Intrauterine factors can impact fetal and child growth and may underlie the developmental origins of childhood obesity. Sex steroid hormone exposure during pregnancy is a plausible target because of the impact on placental vascularization, nutrient transportation, bone growth, adipogenesis, and epigenetic modifications. In this study we assessed maternal sex steroid hormones in each trimester in relation to birthweight, neonatal adiposity, and infant growth trajectories, and evaluate sensitive windows of development. Methods Participants from a prospective pregnancy cohort who delivered at term were included in the analysis (n=252). Estrone, estradiol, and estriol, as well as total and free testosterone throughout gestation were assessed using high-performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. Path analyses were used to assess the direct associations of sex steroid hormones in each trimester with birth outcomes and infant growth trajectories (birth to 12 months) adjusting for covariates and considering moderation by sex. Results The associations between prenatal sex steroid hormones and fetal/infant growth varied by sex and hormone assessment timing. First trimester estrone were associated with higher birthweight z-scores (β=0.37, 95%CI: 0.02, 0.73) and truncal skinfold thickness (TST) at birth (β=0.94, 95%CI: 0.34, 1.54) in female infants. Third trimester total testosterone was associated with higher TST at birth (β=0.61, 95%CI: 0.02, 1.21) in male infants. First trimester estrone/estradiol and first and third trimesters testosterone were associated with lower probabilities of high stable weight trajectory compared to low stable weight trajectory (Estrone: β=-3.87, 95%CI: -6.59, -1.16; First trimester testosterone: β=-3.53, 95%CI: -6.63, -0.43; Third trimester testosterone: β=-3.67, 95%CI: -6.66, -0.69) during infancy in male infants. Conclusions We observed associations between prenatal sex steroid hormone exposure and birthweight, neonatal adiposity and infant growth that were sex and gestational timing dependent. Our findings suggest further investigation on additional mechanisms linking prenatal sex steroid exposure and fetal/postnatal growth is needed.
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Huo Y, Wang W, Zhang J, Xu D, Bai F, Gui Y. Maternal androgen excess inhibits fetal cardiomyocytes proliferation through RB-mediated cell cycle arrest and induces cardiac hypertrophy in adulthood. J Endocrinol Invest 2024; 47:603-617. [PMID: 37642904 PMCID: PMC10904501 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-023-02178-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Maternal hyperandrogenism during pregnancy is associated with adverse gestational outcomes and chronic non-communicable diseases in offspring. However, few studies are reported to demonstrate the association between maternal androgen excess and cardiac health in offspring. This study aimed to explore the relation between androgen exposure in utero and cardiac health of offspring in fetal and adult period. Its underlying mechanism is also illustrated in this research. METHODS Pregnant mice were injected with dihydrotestosterone (DHT) from gestational day (GD) 16.5 to GD18.5. On GD18.5, fetal heart tissue was collected for metabolite and morphological analysis. The hearts from adult offspring were also collected for morphological and qPCR analysis. H9c2 cells were treated with 75 μM androsterone. Immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, qPCR, and western blot were performed to observe cell proliferation and explore the underlying mechanism. RESULTS Intrauterine exposure to excessive androgen led to thinner ventricular wall, decreased number of cardiomyocytes in fetal offspring and caused cardiac hypertrophy, compromised cardiac function in adult offspring. The analysis of steroid hormone metabolites in fetal heart tissue by ultra performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry showed that the content of androgen metabolite androsterone was significantly increased. Mechanistically, H9c2 cells treated with androsterone led to a significant decrease in phosphorylated retinoblastoma protein (pRB) and cell cycle-related protein including cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4), and cyclin D1 (CCND1) in cardiomyocytes. This resulted in cell cycle arrest at G1-S phase, which in turn inhibited cardiomyocyte proliferation. CONCLUSION Taken together, our results indicate that in utero exposure to DHT, its metabolite androsterone could directly decrease cardiomyocytes proliferation through cell cycle arrest, which has a life-long-lasting effect on cardiac health. Our study highlights the importance of monitoring sex hormones in women during pregnancy and the follow-up of cardiac function in offspring with high risk of intrauterine androgen exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Huo
- National Children's Medical Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201102, China
- National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Fudan University, 399 Wanyuan Road, Minhang, Shanghai, 201102, China
| | - W Wang
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - J Zhang
- National Children's Medical Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201102, China
- National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Fudan University, 399 Wanyuan Road, Minhang, Shanghai, 201102, China
- Institute of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, 201102, China
| | - D Xu
- National Children's Medical Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201102, China
- National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Fudan University, 399 Wanyuan Road, Minhang, Shanghai, 201102, China
| | - F Bai
- National Children's Medical Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201102, China
- National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Fudan University, 399 Wanyuan Road, Minhang, Shanghai, 201102, China
| | - Y Gui
- National Children's Medical Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201102, China.
- National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Fudan University, 399 Wanyuan Road, Minhang, Shanghai, 201102, China.
- Cardiovascular Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, 201102, China.
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Markantes GK, Panagodimou E, Koika V, Mamali I, Kaponis A, Adonakis G, Georgopoulos NA. Placental mRNA Expression of Neurokinin B Is Increased in PCOS Pregnancies with Female Offspring. Biomedicines 2024; 12:334. [PMID: 38397936 PMCID: PMC10886712 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12020334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Current research suggests that polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) might originate in utero and implicates the placenta in its pathogenesis. Kisspeptin (KISS1) and neurokinin B (NKB) are produced by the placenta in high amounts, and they have been implicated in several pregnancy complications associated with placental dysfunction. However, their placental expression has not been studied in PCOS. We isolated mRNA after delivery from the placentae of 31 PCOS and 37 control women with term, uncomplicated, singleton pregnancies. The expression of KISS1, NKB, and neurokinin receptors 1, 2, and 3 was analyzed with real-time polymerase chain reaction, using β-actin as the reference gene. Maternal serum and umbilical cord levels of total testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), free androgen index (FAI), androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), and estradiol were also assessed. NKB placental mRNA expression was higher in PCOS women versus controls in pregnancies with female offspring. NKB expression depended on fetal gender, being higher in pregnancies with male fetuses, regardless of PCOS. NKB was positively correlated with umbilical cord FAI and AMH, and KISS1 was positively correlated with cord testosterone and FAI; there was also a strong positive correlation between NKB and KISS1 expression. Women with PCOS had higher serum AMH and FAI and lower SHBG than controls. Our findings indicate that NKB might be involved in the PCOS-related placental dysfunction and warrant further investigation. Studies assessing the placental expression of NKB should take fetal gender into consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios K Markantes
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
| | - Evangelia Panagodimou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
| | - Vasiliki Koika
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
| | - Irene Mamali
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
| | - Apostolos Kaponis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
| | - George Adonakis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
| | - Neoklis A Georgopoulos
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
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Meakin AS, Smith M, Morrison JL, Roberts CT, Lappas M, Ellery SJ, Holland O, Perkins A, McCracken SA, Flenady V, Clifton VL. Placenta-Specific Transcripts Containing Androgen Response Elements Are Altered In Silico by Male Growth Outcomes. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1688. [PMID: 38338965 PMCID: PMC10855055 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031688] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
A birthweight centile (BWC) below the 25th is associated with an elevated risk of adverse perinatal outcomes, particularly among males. This male vulnerability may stem from alterations in placenta-specific androgen signalling, a signalling axis that involves the androgen receptor (AR)-mediated regulation of target genes containing androgen response elements (AREs). In this study, we examined global and ARE-specific transcriptomic signatures in term male placentae (≥37 weeks of gestation) across BWC subcategories (<10th, 10th-30th, >30th) using RNA-seq and gene set enrichment analysis. ARE-containing transcripts in placentae with BWCs below the 10th percentile were upregulated compared to those in the 10th-30th and >30th percentiles, which coincided with the enrichment of gene sets related to hypoxia and the suppression of gene sets associated with mitochondrial function. In the absence of ARE-containing transcripts in silico, <10th and 10th-30th BWC subcategory placentae upregulated gene sets involved in vasculature development, immune function, and cell adhesion when compared to those in the >30th BWC subcategory. Collectively, our in silico findings suggest that changes in the expression of ARE-containing transcripts in male placentae may contribute to impaired placental vasculature and therefore result in reduced fetal growth outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley S. Meakin
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, Health and Biomedical Innovation, UniSA: Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia;
- Mater Medical Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia;
| | - Melanie Smith
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5042, Australia; (M.S.); (C.T.R.)
| | - Janna L. Morrison
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, Health and Biomedical Innovation, UniSA: Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia;
| | - Claire T. Roberts
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5042, Australia; (M.S.); (C.T.R.)
| | - Martha Lappas
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Newborn Health, Mercy Hospital for Women, The University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia;
| | - Stacey J. Ellery
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3168, Australia;
- The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Olivia Holland
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD 4222, Australia; (O.H.); (A.P.)
| | - Anthony Perkins
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD 4222, Australia; (O.H.); (A.P.)
- School of Health, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sunshine Coast, QLD 4556, Australia
| | - Sharon A. McCracken
- Women and Babies Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia;
| | - Vicki Flenady
- Mater Medical Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia;
| | - Vicki L. Clifton
- Mater Medical Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia;
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Kumar S, Song R, Mishra JS. Elevated gestational testosterone impacts vascular and uteroplacental function. Placenta 2023:S0143-4004(23)00598-2. [PMID: 37977936 PMCID: PMC11087376 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2023.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Maternal vascular adaptations to establish an adequate blood supply to the uterus and placenta are essential for optimal nutrient and oxygen delivery to the developing fetus in eutherian mammals, including humans. Numerous factors contribute to maintaining appropriate hemodynamics and placental vascular development throughout pregnancy. Failure to achieve or sustain these pregnancy-associated changes in women is strongly associated with an increased risk of antenatal complications, such as preeclampsia, a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy. The precise etiology of preeclampsia is unknown, but emerging evidence points to a potential role for androgens. The association between androgens and maternal cardiovascular and placental function merits particular attention due to the notable 2- to 3-fold elevated plasma testosterone (T) levels observed in preeclampsia. T levels in preeclamptic women positively correlate with vascular dysfunction, and preeclampsia is associated with increased androgen receptor (AR) levels in placental tissues. Moreover, animal studies replicating the pattern and magnitude of T increase observed in preeclamptic pregnancies have reproduced key features of preeclampsia, including gestational hypertension, endothelial dysfunction, heightened vasoconstriction to angiotensin II, impaired spiral artery remodeling, placental hypoxia, reduced nutrient transport, and fetal growth restriction. Collectively, these findings suggest that AR-mediated activity plays a significant role in the clinical presentation of preeclampsia. This review critically evaluates this hypothesis, considering both clinical and preclinical evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sathish Kumar
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53706, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53792, USA.
| | - Ruolin Song
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Jay S Mishra
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
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Noroozzadeh M, Rahmati M, Farhadi-Azar M, Saei Ghare Naz M, Azizi F, Ramezani Tehrani F. Maternal androgen excess increases the risk of metabolic syndrome in female offspring in their later life: A long-term population-based follow-up study. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2023; 308:1555-1566. [PMID: 37422863 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-023-07132-3] [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: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Hyperandrogenic intrauterine environment may lead to the development of metabolic disorders in offspring in their later life. In this study, we aimed to determine the impact of maternal hyperandrogenism (MHA) on metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk in female offspring in their later life. METHODS In this cohort study conducted in Tehran, Iran, female offspring with MHA (n = 323) and without MHA (controls) (n = 1125) were selected. Both groups of female offspring were followed from the baseline to the date of the incidence of events, censoring, or end of the study period, whichever came first. We used age-scaled unadjusted and adjusted Cox regression models to assess the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between MHA and MetS in female offspring. The software package STATA was used for statistical analysis, and the significance level was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS We observed a higher risk of MetS (unadjusted HR (95% CI), 1.36 (1.05-1.77)), (P = 0.02) and (adjusted HR (95% CI), 1.34 (1.00-1.80)), (P = 0.05, borderline)), in female offspring with MHA, compared to controls. The results were adjusted for the potential confounders including body mass index (BMI) at baseline, net changes of BMI, physical activity, education status, and birth weight. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that MHA increases the risk of developing MetS in female offspring in their later life. Screening of these female offspring for MetS may be recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahsa Noroozzadeh
- Reproductive Endocrinology Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, 23 Arabi, Yaman Street, Velenjak, P.O.Code: 1985717413, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Rahmati
- Reproductive Endocrinology Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, 23 Arabi, Yaman Street, Velenjak, P.O.Code: 1985717413, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahbanoo Farhadi-Azar
- Reproductive Endocrinology Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, 23 Arabi, Yaman Street, Velenjak, P.O.Code: 1985717413, Tehran, Iran
| | - Marzieh Saei Ghare Naz
- Reproductive Endocrinology Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, 23 Arabi, Yaman Street, Velenjak, P.O.Code: 1985717413, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fereidoun Azizi
- Endocrine Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fahimeh Ramezani Tehrani
- Reproductive Endocrinology Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, 23 Arabi, Yaman Street, Velenjak, P.O.Code: 1985717413, Tehran, Iran.
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Abruzzese GA, Ferreira SR, Ferrer MJ, Silva AF, Motta AB. Prenatal Androgen Excess Induces Multigenerational Effects on Female and Male Descendants. Clin Med Insights Endocrinol Diabetes 2023; 16:11795514231196461. [PMID: 37705939 PMCID: PMC10496475 DOI: 10.1177/11795514231196461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background It is still unelucidated how hormonal alterations affect developing organisms and their descendants. Particularly, the effects of androgen levels are of clinical relevance as they are usually high in women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Moreover, it is still unknown how androgens may affect males' health and their descendants. Objectives We aimed to evaluate the multigenerational effect of prenatal androgen excess until a second generation at early developmental stages considering both maternal and paternal effects. Design And Methods This is an animal model study. Female rats (F0) were exposed to androgens during pregnancy by injections of 1 mg of testosterone to obtain prenatally hyperandrogenized (PH) animals (F1), leading to a well-known animal model that resembles PCOS features. A control (C) group was obtained by vehicle injections. The PH-F1 animals were crossed with C males (m) or females (f) and C animals were also mated, thus obtaining 3 different mating groups: Cf × Cm, PHf × Cm, Cf × PHm and their offspring (F2). Results F1-PHf presented altered glucose metabolism and lipid profile compared to F1-C females. In addition, F1-PHf showed an increased time to mating with control males compared to the C group. At gestational day 14, we found alterations in glucose and total cholesterol serum levels and in the placental size of the pregnant F1-PHf and Cf mated to F1-PHm. The F2 offspring resulting from F1-PH mothers or fathers showed alterations in their growth, size, and glucose metabolism up to early post-natal development in a sex-dependent manner, being the females born to F1-PHf the most affected ones. Conclusion androgen exposure during intrauterine life leads to programing effects in females and males that affect offspring health in a sex-dependent manner, at least up-to a second generation. In addition, this study suggests paternally mediated effects on the F2 offspring development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giselle Adriana Abruzzese
- Laboratorio de Fisio-patología ovárica, Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (CEFYBO), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Silvana Rocio Ferreira
- Laboratorio de Fisio-patología ovárica, Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (CEFYBO), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Maria José Ferrer
- Laboratorio de Fisio-patología ovárica, Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (CEFYBO), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Aimé Florencia Silva
- Laboratorio de Fisio-patología ovárica, Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (CEFYBO), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alicia Beatriz Motta
- Laboratorio de Fisio-patología ovárica, Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (CEFYBO), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Yadav P, Mishra JS, Kumar S. Elevated Maternal Testosterone Levels Alter PFOA Elimination and Tissue Distribution in Pregnant Rats. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 7:131-139. [PMID: 37654976 PMCID: PMC10470210 DOI: 10.26502/jesph.96120193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is an enduring synthetic chemical that harms human health. Recent studies indicate heightened bioaccumulation of PFOA, particularly in pregnant women experiencing preeclampsia. Since plasma testosterone levels are elevated in pregnant women with preeclampsia, we hypothesized that hyperandrogenic conditions during pregnancy may hinder PFOA elimination and contribute to their higher body burden. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were s/c injected with vehicle or testosterone propionate from gestational day (GD) 15 to 20 to increase plasma testosterone levels by 2-fold, similar to levels in preeclampsia. On GD 16, [14C]-PFOA (9.4 pmol/kg) was given intravenously, and subsequently, 14C radioactivity was measured in maternal blood, urine, feces, and tissues. PFOA was primarily eliminated through urine; however, less PFOA was excreted in urine of pregnant rats with elevated testosterone levels than controls. Fecal excretion of PFOA was minimal and did not significantly differ between groups. The total elimination of PFOA (urine plus feces) was significantly reduced by 12% in pregnant rats with elevated testosterone levels. In controls, PFOA distribution was highest in placenta, followed by the kidneys, liver, brain, heart, lungs, and spleen. Pregnant rats with elevated testosterone levels displayed 12% higher concentrations of PFOA in these tissues than controls. Furthermore, the renal expression of Oat2 and Oat3 was significantly decreased, while Oatp1 and Oat-k expression was significantly increased in pregnant rats with elevated testosterone levels than controls. In conclusion, elevated maternal testosterone levels decrease urinary elimination of PFOA, possibly through altered expression of renal transporters leading to increased tissue concentrations of PFOA in pregnant rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pankaj Yadav
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Jay S Mishra
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Sathish Kumar
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
- Endocrinology-Reproductive Physiology Program, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
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10
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Liu D, Gan Y, Zhang Y, Cui L, Tao T, Zhang J, Zhao J. Fetal genome predicted birth weight and polycystic ovary syndrome in later life: a Mendelian randomization study. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1140499. [PMID: 37351103 PMCID: PMC10282929 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1140499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Associations between lower birth weight and higher polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) risk have been reported in previous observational studies, however, the causal relationship is still unknown. Based on decomposed fetal and maternal genetic effects on birth weight (n = 406,063), we conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to assess potential causal relationships between fetal genome predicted birth weight and PCOS risk using a large-scale genome-wide association study (GWAS) including 4,138 PCOS cases and 20,129 controls. To further eliminate the maternally transmitted or non-transmitted effects on fetal growth, we performed a secondary MR analysis by utilizing genetic instruments after excluding maternally transmitted or non-transmitted variants, which were identified in another birth weight GWAS (n = 63,365 parent-offspring trios from Icelandic birth register). Linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSR) analysis was conducted to estimate the genetic correlation. We found little evidence to support a causal effect of fetal genome determined birth weight on the risk of developing PCOS (primary MR analysis, OR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.52 to 1.43; secondary MR analysis, OR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.54 to 1.39). In addition, a marginally significant genetic correlation (rg = -0.14, se = 0.07) between birth weight and PCOS was revealed via LDSR analysis. Our findings indicated that observed associations between birth weight and future PCOS risk are more likely to be attributable to genetic pleiotropy driven by the fetal genome rather than a causal mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Liu
- Ministry of Education and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuexin Gan
- Ministry of Education and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Linlin Cui
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Tao Tao
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai JiaoTong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Ministry of Education and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Zhao
- Ministry of Education and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
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11
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Prenatal Androgen Exposure and Traits of Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Offspring: Odense Child Cohort. J Autism Dev Disord 2023; 53:1053-1065. [PMID: 35124780 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-022-05446-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Fetal androgen exposure may be associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We studied 1777 mother-child pairs in the prospective Odense Child Cohort. Prenatal androgen exposure was assessed by maternal 3rd trimester testosterone concentrations, maternal polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and 3 months offspring anogenital distance. ASD traits were assessed at age 3 years with the ASD-symptom scale of the Child Behavior Checklist for ages 1½-5 years. Maternal testosterone was positively associated with traits of ASD in boys (p < 0.05). Maternal PCOS was associated with increased offspring ASD traits (p = 0.046), but became non-significant after excluding parental psychiatric diagnosis. Offspring anogenital distance was not linked to ASD traits. Higher prevalence of ASD in boys could be linked to higher susceptibility to fetal androgen exposure.
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Alon T, Rosov A, Lifshitz L, Moallem U. Male fetuses negatively affect the vitality of the litter and the dam's metabolic and physiological state in multifetal pregnant ewe. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0285338. [PMID: 37159474 PMCID: PMC10168572 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
In sheep, ~30% of fetuses do not survive till parturition, and 17.7% of the multifetal pregnancies experience partial litter loss (PLL). In humans, multifetal pregnancies are associated with a higher risk of perinatal mortality. Therefore, the objectives were to examine the association between partial litter loss, fetal sex, dam's metabolic and physiological state, and pregnancy outcome in multifetal pregnant ewes. The study includes two parts. The first was a retrospective study, in which we analyzed data of 675 lambings and examined the PLL incidence according to male ratio (MR) for all litter sizes (range 2-6). Lambings were categorized as having a low male ratio (LMR; <50% males) or a high male ratio (LMR; >50% males). In the second part, we monitored 24 ewes from 80 to 138 days in pregnancy every 10 days, and then daily until lambing, by ultrasound scanning for maternal heart rate (HR), and Doppler ultrasound for litter vitality. Blood samples were taken from dams on the days of scanning. Male ratio strongly affected PLL, where the general survival rate (for all lambings) was reduced from 90% in LMR lambings to 85% in HMR lambings. The odds ratio for PLL in HMR vs. LMR litters was 1.82. Birth body weight and the survival rate of female was higher in LMR than HMR lambings, with no differences for male lambs in both parameters. In the second part, dams' HR during the last trimester was 9.4% higher in LMR than in HMR pregnancies, with no differences in fetuses' HR. The plasma glucose and insulin concentrations were not significantly different between groups, but plasma β-hydroxybutyrate and nonesterified fatty acid concentrations were, respectively, 31% and 20% lower in HMR vs. LMR ewes. In conclusion, male fetuses negatively affect pregnancy outcomes and influence dams' metabolic and physiological state in sheep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamir Alon
- Department of Ruminant Science, Institute of Animal Sciences, The Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
- Department of Animal Science, the Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Alexander Rosov
- Department of Ruminant Science, Institute of Animal Sciences, The Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - Lila Lifshitz
- Department of Ruminant Science, Institute of Animal Sciences, The Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - Uzi Moallem
- Department of Ruminant Science, Institute of Animal Sciences, The Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
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13
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Assisted reproductive technology causes reduced expression of amino acid transporters in human full-term placentas. Pathol Res Pract 2022; 239:154169. [DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2022.154169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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14
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Zheng BK, Sun XY, Xian J, Niu PP. Maternal Testosterone and Offspring Birth Weight: A Mendelian Randomization Study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2022; 107:2530-2538. [PMID: 35758857 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgac389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Evidence has shown maternal androgen levels in both the general population and populations with hyperandrogenic disorders are inversely associated with offspring birth weight. CONTEXT We aimed to investigate the causal effect of maternal testosterone levels in the general population on offspring birth weight and preterm delivery risk using a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) method. METHODS We obtained independent genetic instruments from a sex-specific genome-wide association study with up to 230 454 females of European descent from the UK Biobank. Genetic instruments with consistent testosterone effects but no aggregate effect on sex hormone-binding globulin were used to perform the main analysis. Summary-level data of offspring birth weight adjusted for genotype were obtained from a study with 210 406 females of European descent. Summary-level data of preterm delivery were obtained from the FinnGen study (6736 cases and 116 219 controls). RESULTS MR analysis showed that each SD (0.62 nmol/L) increase in testosterone levels could reduce the offspring birth weight by 37.26 g (95% CI, 19.59-54.94 g; P = 3.62 × 10-5). Each SD increase in testosterone levels was also associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery (odds ratio = 1.329; 95% CI, 1.161-1.520; P = 3.57 × 10-5). Similar results were found using different MR methods and multivariable MR analyses. CONCLUSION This two-sample MR study showed genetically determined higher circulating testosterone levels in females from the general population were associated with low birth weight of offspring and increased risk of preterm delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing-Kun Zheng
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Xue-Yi Sun
- Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Jie Xian
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Peng-Peng Niu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
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15
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Pregnancy in a Transgender Male: A Case Report and Review of the Literature. Case Rep Endocrinol 2022; 2022:6246867. [PMID: 35812019 PMCID: PMC9259284 DOI: 10.1155/2022/6246867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Pregnancy in transgender men is an area of increasing study due to data showing that pregnancy can occur in this population despite the reduction in fertility that generally accompanies treatment with gender-affirming hormone therapies. Case In this case, we describe a healthy 21-year-old transgender man who was able to achieve pregnancy without reproductive assistance after stopping his testosterone therapy for 2 months. Discussion. Our case is important as it highlights how little is known in regards to gender-affirming hormone therapy on fertility. While testosterone is known to reduce fertility by inducing anovulation and altering ovarian histology, its long-term effects on conception rates and pregnancy are largely unknown. Some studies demonstrate that transgender men, treated with gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT), including testosterone, have similar oocyte quantity and quality, as well as similar ovarian reserve, when compared to cisgender women, suggesting that resumption of fertility may be possible after cessation of GAHT. Long-term outcomes for the pregnancy and the offspring of those who have been treated with GAHT are unknown. Conclusion Recent studies have shown that pregnancy is possible for transgender men who desire biological children and have received gender-affirming hormonal therapy without fertility-preserving measures. Further research is needed to help determine rates of fertility, the likelihood of recovery of fertility, conception rates, and long-term pregnancy outcomes. Such information would help guide physicians in providing education and counseling to their transgender patients regarding reproductive options.
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Abruzzese GA, Silva AF, Velazquez ME, Ferrer MJ, Motta AB. Hyperandrogenism and Polycystic ovary syndrome: Effects in pregnancy and offspring development. WIREs Mech Dis 2022; 14:e1558. [PMID: 35475329 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the major endocrine disorders affecting women of reproductive age. Its etiology remains unclear. It is suggested that environmental factors, and particularly the intrauterine environment, play key roles in PCOS development. Besides the role of androgens in PCOS pathogenesis, exposure to endocrine disruptors, as is Bisphenol A, could also contribute to its development. Although PCOS is considered one of the leading causes of ovarian infertility, many PCOS patients can get pregnant. Some of them by natural conception and others by assisted reproductive technique treatments. As hyperandrogenism (one of PCOS main features) affects ovarian and uterine functions, PCOS women, despite reaching pregnancy, could present high-risk pregnancies, including implantation failure, an increased risk of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and preterm birth. Moreover, hyperandrogenism may also be maintained in these women during pregnancy. Therefore, as an altered uterine milieu, including hormonal imbalance, could affect the developing organisms, monitoring these patients throughout pregnancy and their offspring development is highly relevant. The present review focuses on the impact of androgenism and PCOS on fertility issues and pregnancy-related outcomes and offspring development. The evidence suggests that the increased risk of pregnancy complications and adverse offspring outcomes of PCOS women would be due to the factors involved in the syndrome pathogenesis and the related co-morbidities. A better understanding of the involved mechanisms is still needed and could contribute to a better management of these women and their offspring. This article is categorized under: Reproductive System Diseases > Molecular and Cellular Physiology Reproductive System Diseases > Environmental Factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giselle A Abruzzese
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología Ovárica, Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (CEFyBO), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Aimé F Silva
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología Ovárica, Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (CEFyBO), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mariela E Velazquez
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología Ovárica, Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (CEFyBO), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Maria-José Ferrer
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología Ovárica, Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (CEFyBO), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alicia B Motta
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología Ovárica, Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (CEFyBO), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Gopalakrishnan K, Mishra JS, Ross JR, Abbott DH, Kumar S. Hyperandrogenism diminishes maternal-fetal fatty acid transport by increasing FABP 4-mediated placental lipid accumulation. Biol Reprod 2022; 107:514-528. [PMID: 35357467 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) are critical for fetal brain development. Infants born to preeclamptic mothers or those born growth restricted due to placental insufficiency have reduced LCPUFA, and are at higher risk for developing neurodevelopmental disorders. Since plasma levels of testosterone (T) and fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) are elevated in preeclampsia, we hypothesized that elevated T induces the expression of FABP4 in the placenta leading to compromised transplacental transport of LCPUFAs. Increased maternal T in pregnant rats significantly decreased n-3 and n-6 LCPUFA levels in maternal and fetal circulation, but increased their placental accumulation. Dietary LCPUFAs supplementation in T dams increased LCPUFA levels in the maternal circulation and further augmented placental storage, while failing to increase fetal levels. The placenta in T dams exhibited increased FABP4 mRNA and protein levels. In vitro, T dose-dependently upregulated FABP4 transcription in trophoblasts. T stimulated androgen receptor (AR) recruitment to the androgen response element and trans-activated FABP4 promoter activity, both of which were abolished by AR antagonist. T in pregnant rats and cultured trophoblasts significantly reduced transplacental transport of C14-docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and increased C14-DHA accumulation in the placenta. Importantly, FABP4-overexpression by itself in pregnant rats and trophoblasts increased transplacental transport of C14-DHA with no significant placental accumulation. T exposure, in contrast, inhibited this FABP4-mediated effect by promoting C14-DHA placental accumulation. In summary, our studies show that maternal hyperandrogenism increases placental FABP4 expression via transcriptional upregulation and preferentially routes LCPUFAs toward cellular storage in the placenta leading to offspring lipid deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathirvel Gopalakrishnan
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Jay S Mishra
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Jordan R Ross
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - David H Abbott
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53792, USA.,Endocrinology-Reproductive Physiology Program, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53715, USA.,Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53715, USA
| | - Sathish Kumar
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53792, USA.,Endocrinology-Reproductive Physiology Program, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53715, USA
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18
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Meakin AS, Gough M, Saif Z, Clifton VL. An ex vivo approach to understanding sex-specific differences in placental androgen signalling in the presence and absence of inflammation. Placenta 2022; 120:49-58. [DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2022.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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19
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Shawky NM. Cardiovascular disease risk in offspring of polycystic ovary syndrome. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:977819. [PMID: 36531474 PMCID: PMC9747927 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.977819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder affecting women at reproductive age. PCOS diagnosis (Rotterdam criteria) is based on the presence of two out of three criteria; clinical and/or biochemical hyperandrogenism, oligo- or an-ovulation and polycystic ovaries. PCOS women suffer from a constellation of reproductive and metabolic abnormalities including obesity and insulin resistance. PCOS women also have increased blood pressure and increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). In-utero, offspring of PCOS women are exposed to altered maternal hormonal environment and maternal obesity (for most of PCOS women). Offspring of PCOS women could also be subject to genetic susceptibility, the transgenerational transmission of some of the PCOS traits or epigenetic changes. Offspring of PCOS women are commonly reported to have an abnormal birth weight, which is also a risk factor for developing CVD and hypertension later in life. Although studies have focused on the growth pattern, reproductive and metabolic health of children of PCOS women, very limited number of studies have addressed the risk of hypertension and CVD in those offspring particularly as they age. The current narrative review is designed to summarize the available literature (both human studies and experimental animal studies) and highlight the gaps in addressing hypertension and CVD risks in offspring of PCOS women or hyperandrogenemic female animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noha M. Shawky
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States
- Women’s Health Research Center, Mississippi Center of Excellence in Perinatal Research, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States
- *Correspondence: Noha M. Shawky,
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20
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Chang CJ, Barr DB, Ryan PB, Panuwet P, Smarr MM, Liu K, Kannan K, Yakimavets V, Tan Y, Ly V, Marsit CJ, Jones DP, Corwin EJ, Dunlop AL, Liang D. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) exposure, maternal metabolomic perturbation, and fetal growth in African American women: A meet-in-the-middle approach. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 158:106964. [PMID: 34735953 PMCID: PMC8688254 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal exposures to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been linked to reduced fetal growth. However, the detailed molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. This study aims to investigate biological pathways and intermediate biomarkers underlying the association between serum PFAS and fetal growth using high-resolution metabolomics in a cohort of pregnant African American women in the Atlanta area, Georgia. METHODS Serum perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) measurements and untargeted serum metabolomics profiling were conducted in 313 pregnant African American women at 8-14 weeks gestation. Multiple linear regression models were applied to assess the associations of PFAS with birth weight and small-for-gestational age (SGA) birth. A high-resolution metabolomics workflow including metabolome-wide association study, pathway enrichment analysis, and chemical annotation and confirmation with a meet-in-the-middle approach was performed to characterize the biological pathways and intermediate biomarkers of the PFAS-fetal growth relationship. RESULTS Each log2-unit increase in serum PFNA concentration was significantly associated with higher odds of SGA birth (OR = 1.32, 95% CI 1.07, 1.63); similar but borderline significant associations were found in PFOA (OR = 1.20, 95% CI 0.94, 1.49) with SGA. Among 25,516 metabolic features extracted from the serum samples, we successfully annotated and confirmed 10 overlapping metabolites associated with both PFAS and fetal growth endpoints, including glycine, taurine, uric acid, ferulic acid, 2-hexyl-3-phenyl-2-propenal, unsaturated fatty acid C18:1, androgenic hormone conjugate, parent bile acid, and bile acid-glycine conjugate. Also, we identified 21 overlapping metabolic pathways from pathway enrichment analyses. These overlapping metabolites and pathways were closely related to amino acid, lipid and fatty acid, bile acid, and androgenic hormone metabolism perturbations. CONCLUSION In this cohort of pregnant African American women, higher serum concentrations of PFOA and PFNA were associated with reduced fetal growth. Perturbations of biological pathways involved in amino acid, lipid and fatty acid, bile acid, and androgenic hormone metabolism were associated with PFAS exposures and reduced fetal growth, and uric acid was shown to be a potential intermediate biomarker. Our results provide opportunities for future studies to develop early detection and intervention for PFAS-induced fetal growth restriction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Che-Jung Chang
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Dana Boyd Barr
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - P Barry Ryan
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Parinya Panuwet
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Melissa M Smarr
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Ken Liu
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Kurunthachalam Kannan
- Department of Pediatrics and Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Volha Yakimavets
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Youran Tan
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - ViLinh Ly
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Carmen J Marsit
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Dean P Jones
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Anne L Dunlop
- Woodruff Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine and Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Donghai Liang
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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Furukawa S, Tsuji N, Hayashi S, Kuroda Y, Kimura M, Hayakawa C, Takeuchi K, Sugiyama A. Effects of testosterone on rat placental development. J Toxicol Pathol 2022; 35:37-44. [PMID: 35221494 PMCID: PMC8828613 DOI: 10.1293/tox.2021-0035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated the morphological effects of testosterone on placental development in a
rat model of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Testosterone propionate (TP), which was
subcutaneously administered to pregnant rats with 5 mg/animal from gestation day (GD) 14
to GD 18, induced a maternal weight reduction without mortality or clinical signs from GD
19 onwards. A decrease in fetal and placental weight, an increase in intrauterine growth
retardation (IUGR) rates, and histological changes in the placenta were observed on GD 21
but not on GD15 or 17. Histopathologically, on GD 21, the trophoblast septa thickened, and
the maternal sinusoids were narrowed in the labyrinth zone, resulting in a small placenta.
Additionally, the placental weight, thickness, and histological morphology in the
labyrinth zone on GD 21 in the TP-treated group were nearly identical to those on GD 17 in
the control and TP-treated groups. Therefore, it was assumed that the testosterone-induced
small placenta was induced in association with the developmental inhibition of the fetal
part of the placentas from GD 17 onwards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Furukawa
- Biological Research Laboratories, Nissan Chemical Corporation, 1470 Shiraoka, Shiraoka-shi, Saitama 349-0294, Japan
| | - Naho Tsuji
- Biological Research Laboratories, Nissan Chemical Corporation, 1470 Shiraoka, Shiraoka-shi, Saitama 349-0294, Japan
| | - Seigo Hayashi
- Biological Research Laboratories, Nissan Chemical Corporation, 1470 Shiraoka, Shiraoka-shi, Saitama 349-0294, Japan
| | - Yusuke Kuroda
- Biological Research Laboratories, Nissan Chemical Corporation, 1470 Shiraoka, Shiraoka-shi, Saitama 349-0294, Japan
| | - Masayuki Kimura
- Biological Research Laboratories, Nissan Chemical Corporation, 1470 Shiraoka, Shiraoka-shi, Saitama 349-0294, Japan
| | - Chisato Hayakawa
- Biological Research Laboratories, Nissan Chemical Corporation, 1470 Shiraoka, Shiraoka-shi, Saitama 349-0294, Japan
| | - Kazuya Takeuchi
- Biological Research Laboratories, Nissan Chemical Corporation, 1470 Shiraoka, Shiraoka-shi, Saitama 349-0294, Japan
| | - Akihiko Sugiyama
- Veterinary Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Okayama University of Science, 1-3 Ikoinooka, Imabari-shi, Ehime 794-8555, Japan
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Aguilera N, Salas-Pérez F, Ortíz M, Álvarez D, Echiburú B, Maliqueo M. Rodent models in placental research. Implications for fetal origins of adult disease. Anim Reprod 2022; 19:e20210134. [PMID: 35493783 PMCID: PMC9037606 DOI: 10.1590/1984-3143-ar2021-0134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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Ali A, Alexander S, Ko P, Cuffe JSM, Whitehouse AJO, McGrath JJ, Eyles D. Developmental Vitamin D Deficiency in Pregnant Rats Does Not Induce Preeclampsia. Nutrients 2021; 13:4254. [PMID: 34959804 PMCID: PMC8707812 DOI: 10.3390/nu13124254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Preeclampsia is a pregnancy disorder characterized by hypertension. Epidemiological studies have associated preeclampsia with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in offspring, such as autism and schizophrenia. Preeclampsia has also been linked with maternal vitamin D deficiency, another candidate risk factor also associated with autism. Our laboratory has established a gestational vitamin-D-deficient rat model that shows consistent and robust behavioural phenotypes associated with autism- and schizophrenia-related animal models. Therefore, we explored here whether this model also produces preeclampsia as a possible mediator of behavioural phenotypes in offspring. We showed that gestational vitamin D deficiency was not associated with maternal blood pressure or proteinuria during late gestation. Maternal and placental angiogenic and vasculogenic factors were also not affected by a vitamin-D-deficient diet. We further showed that exposure to low vitamin D levels did not expose the placenta to oxidative stress. Overall, gestational vitamin D deficiency in our rat model was not associated with preeclampsia-related features, suggesting that well-described behavioural phenotypes in offspring born to vitamin-D-deficient rat dams are unlikely to be mediated via a preeclampsia-related mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asad Ali
- Neurobiology, Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (A.A.); (S.A.); (P.K.); (J.J.M.)
| | - Suzanne Alexander
- Neurobiology, Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (A.A.); (S.A.); (P.K.); (J.J.M.)
- Neurobiology, Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, Wacol, QLD 4076, Australia
| | - Pauline Ko
- Neurobiology, Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (A.A.); (S.A.); (P.K.); (J.J.M.)
- Neurobiology, Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, Wacol, QLD 4076, Australia
| | - James S. M. Cuffe
- Placental Endocrinology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia;
| | - Andrew J. O. Whitehouse
- Autism Research Team, Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia;
| | - John J. McGrath
- Neurobiology, Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (A.A.); (S.A.); (P.K.); (J.J.M.)
- Neurobiology, Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, Wacol, QLD 4076, Australia
- NCRR—National Centre for Register-Based Research, Department of Economics and Business Economics, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Darryl Eyles
- Neurobiology, Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (A.A.); (S.A.); (P.K.); (J.J.M.)
- Neurobiology, Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, Wacol, QLD 4076, Australia
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Yu P, Chen Y, Ge C, Wang H. Sexual dimorphism in placental development and its contribution to health and diseases. Crit Rev Toxicol 2021; 51:555-570. [PMID: 34666604 DOI: 10.1080/10408444.2021.1977237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
According to the Developmental Origin of Health and Disease (DOHaD), intrauterine exposure to adverse environments can affect fetus and birth outcomes and lead to long-term disease susceptibility. Evidence has shown that neonatal outcomes and the timing and severity of adult diseases are sexually dimorphic. As the link between mother and fetus, the placenta is an essential regulator of fetal development programming. It is found that the physiological development trajectory of the placenta has sexual dimorphism. Furthermore, under pathological conditions, the placental function undergoes sex-specific adaptation to ensure fetal survival. Therefore, the placenta may be an important mediator of sexual dimorphism in neonatal outcomes and adult disease susceptibility. Few systematic reviews have been conducted on sexual dimorphism in placental development and its underlying mechanisms. In this review, sex chromosomes and sex hormones, as the main reasons for sexual differentiation of the placenta, will be discussed. Besides, in the etiology of fetal-originated adult diseases, overexposure to glucocorticoids is closely related to adverse neonatal outcomes and long-term disease susceptibility. Studies have found that prenatal glucocorticoid overexposure leads to sexually dimorphic expression of placental glucocorticoid receptor isoforms, resulting in different sensitivity of the placenta to glucocorticoids, and may further affect fetal development. The present review examines what is currently known about sex differences in placental development and the underlying regulatory mechanisms of this sex bias. This review highlights the importance of placental contributions to the origins of sexual dimorphism in health and diseases. It may help develop personalized diagnosis and treatment strategies for fetal development in pathological pregnancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengxia Yu
- Department of Pharmacology, Basic Medical School of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yawen Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, Basic Medical School of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Caiyun Ge
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Basic Medical School of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, China
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25
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Usman TO, Olatunji LA. Late gestational testosterone exposure causes glucose deregulation and elevated cardiac VCAM-1 and DPP-4 activity in rats. Arch Physiol Biochem 2021; 127:445-452. [PMID: 31387411 DOI: 10.1080/13813455.2019.1650068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Increased vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) has been reported to be a critical link between obesity and atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases while dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) has been implicated in the development of disrupted glucose regulation and inflammation. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the effect of gestational testosterone exposure on glucose metabolism, atherogenic dyslipidemia, as well as circulating and cardiac VCAM-1, oxidative stress biomarkers and DPP-4 activity in pregnant rats. METHODS Pregnant Wistar rats received either vehicle or testosterone (0.5 mg/kg; sc) between gestational days 14 and 19. RESULTS Gestational testosterone exposure caused impaired glucose homeostasis that was accompanied with atherogenic dyslipidemia, elevated circulating and cardiac levels of VCAM-1, uric acid, malondialdehyde as well as increased DPP-4 activity. However, nitric oxide levels were decreased. CONCLUSION This study shows that gestational testosterone exposure causes glucose deregulation and atherogenic dyslipidemia that is accompanied by increased circulating and cardiac VCAM-1 and DPP-4 activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taofeek O Usman
- HOPE Cardiometabolic Research Team and Department of Physiology, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
- Cardiovascular Unit, Department of Physiology, College of Health sciences, Osun State University, Osogbo, Nigeria
| | - Lawrence A Olatunji
- HOPE Cardiometabolic Research Team and Department of Physiology, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
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26
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Kim KW. Unravelling Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Its Comorbidities. J Obes Metab Syndr 2021; 30:209-221. [PMID: 34497157 PMCID: PMC8526288 DOI: 10.7570/jomes21043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a chronic multisystem endocrine disorder that affects women of reproductive age. In the ovary, the dynamic balance between dormant and growing follicles that culminates in ovulation becomes dysfunctional in the presence of excessive androgen production (ovarian/adrenal/peripheral). Moreover, hyperandrogenicity in pregnancy affects fetal development in utero and is linked to maternal pregnancy complications. Hormonal imbalance, ovarian dysfunction, and central obesity often emerge in these patients during adolescence. Once disordered physiological changes develop in PCOS, a vicious cycle ensues, leading to reproductive, metabolic, and psychological comorbidities. With the alarming increase of the number of young adults with a high degree of obesity in Korea, the prevalence of PCOS has also considerably increased. Timely and accurate screening, multicomponent healthy lifestyle modifications for both patients and family members, and comprehensive medical interventions based on international evidence-based guidelines are essential for curtailing PCOS and its comorbidities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyung-Wook Kim
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Dongtan Jeil Women's Hospital and Sangwoon Medical Institute, Hwaseong, Korea.,Severance Institute for Vascular and Metabolic Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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27
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Dalgaard CM, Andersen MS, Jensen RC, Larsen PV, Find LG, Boye H, Jensen TK, Bilenberg N, Glintborg D. Maternal polycystic ovary syndrome and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in offspring at 3 years of age: Odense Child Cohort. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2021; 100:2053-2065. [PMID: 34490610 DOI: 10.1111/aogs.14259] [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: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Previous data suggested a link between maternal polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and offspring attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which could be mediated by higher prenatal androgen exposure. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study was part of the prospective Odense Child Cohort and included 1776 pregnant women, 165 (9%) with PCOS and 1607 (91%) controls. ADHD symptoms at 3 years of age were defined using the parent-reported questionnaire Child Behavior Checklist/1.5-5 (scores >90th centile of Danish national standard). Maternal blood samples were collected in the third trimester measuring total testosterone by mass spectrometry, sex hormone-binding globulin, and calculated free testosterone. Offspring anogenital distance was measured at 3 months of age. Regression models were performed with presence of ADHD symptoms as the dependent variable and adjusted for maternal age, body mass index, parity, smoking status, educational level, and parental psychiatric diagnoses. RESULTS ADHD symptoms were present in 105/937 (11%) boys and 72/839 (9%) girls. In boys, maternal PCOS was positively associated with ADHD symptoms (unadjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.91, 95% CI 1.07-3.43, p = 0.03, adjusted OR 2.20, 95% CI 1.20-4.02, p = 0.01), whereas maternal PCOS was not associated with ADHD symptoms in girls. Maternal total testosterone, free testosterone, and offspring anogenital distance were not associated with higher risk of ADHD symptoms in the offspring. CONCLUSIONS Higher risk of ADHD in boys born of mothers with PCOS were not associated with maternal third-trimester testosterone levels or offspring anogenital distance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cilia M Dalgaard
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.,Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Odense, Mental Health Services in the Region of Southern Denmark, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Marianne S Andersen
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Richard C Jensen
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Pia V Larsen
- Mental Health Services in the Region of Southern Denmark, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Laura G Find
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.,Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Odense, Mental Health Services in the Region of Southern Denmark, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Henriette Boye
- Odense Child Cohort, Hans Christian Andersen Hospital for Children, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.,OPEN Patient Data Explorative Network (OPEN), University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Tina K Jensen
- Odense Child Cohort, Hans Christian Andersen Hospital for Children, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.,OPEN Patient Data Explorative Network (OPEN), University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Environmental Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Niels Bilenberg
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.,Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Odense, Mental Health Services in the Region of Southern Denmark, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Dorte Glintborg
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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28
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Meakin AS, Cuffe JSM, Darby JRT, Morrison JL, Clifton VL. Let's Talk about Placental Sex, Baby: Understanding Mechanisms That Drive Female- and Male-Specific Fetal Growth and Developmental Outcomes. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22126386. [PMID: 34203717 PMCID: PMC8232290 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22126386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
It is well understood that sex differences exist between females and males even before they are born. These sex-dependent differences may contribute to altered growth and developmental outcomes for the fetus. Based on our initial observations in the human placenta, we hypothesised that the male prioritises growth pathways in order to maximise growth through to adulthood, thereby ensuring the greatest chance of reproductive success. However, this male-specific “evolutionary advantage” likely contributes to males being less adaptable to shifts in the in-utero environment, which then places them at a greater risk for intrauterine morbidities or mortality. Comparatively, females are more adaptable to changes in the in-utero environment at the cost of growth, which may reduce their risk of poor perinatal outcomes. The mechanisms that drive these sex-specific adaptations to a change in the in-utero environment remain unclear, but an increasing body of evidence within the field of developmental biology would suggest that alterations to placental function, as well as the feto-placental hormonal milieu, is an important contributing factor. Herein, we have addressed the current knowledge regarding sex-specific intrauterine growth differences and have examined how certain pregnancy complications may alter these female- and male-specific adaptations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley S. Meakin
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, UniSA: Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia; (A.S.M.); (J.R.T.D.); (J.L.M.)
| | - James S. M. Cuffe
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia;
| | - Jack R. T. Darby
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, UniSA: Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia; (A.S.M.); (J.R.T.D.); (J.L.M.)
| | - Janna L. Morrison
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, UniSA: Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia; (A.S.M.); (J.R.T.D.); (J.L.M.)
| | - Vicki L. Clifton
- Mater Medical Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
- Correspondence:
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29
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Zhang FF, Zhang Q, Wang YL, Wang FF, Hardiman PJ, Qu F. Intergenerational Influences between Maternal Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Offspring: An Updated Overview. J Pediatr 2021; 232:272-281. [PMID: 33482217 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2021.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Fang-Fang Zhang
- Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qing Zhang
- Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yuan-Lin Wang
- Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Fang-Fang Wang
- Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Paul J Hardiman
- Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Fan Qu
- Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
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30
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Huang G, Aroner SA, Bay CP, Gilman SE, Ghassabian A, Loucks EB, Buka SL, Handa RJ, Lasley BL, Bhasin S, Goldstein JM. Sex-dependent associations of maternal androgen levels with offspring BMI and weight trajectory from birth to early childhood. J Endocrinol Invest 2021; 44:851-863. [PMID: 32776198 PMCID: PMC7873156 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-020-01385-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT In preclinical studies, high androgen levels during pregnancy are associated with low birth weight and rapid postnatal weight gain in the offspring. However, human data linking prenatal androgens with birth weight and early life weight gain in the offspring are scarce. DESIGN We evaluated 516 mother-child pairs enrolled in the New England birth cohorts of the Collaborative Perinatal Project (1959-1966). We assayed androgen bioactivity in maternal sera during third-trimester using a receptor-mediated luciferase expression bioassay. Age and sex-specific BMI Z-scores (BMIz), defined using established standards, were assessed at birth, 4 months, 1 year, 4 years, and 7 years. We used linear mixed models to evaluate the relation of maternal androgens with childhood BMIz overall and by sex. We examined the association of maternal androgens with fetal growth restriction. The association of weight trajectories with maternal androgens was examined using multinomial logistic regression. RESULTS Higher maternal androgen levels associated with lower BMIz at birth (β = - 0.39, 95% CI: - 0.73, - 0.06); this relation was sex-dependent, such that maternal androgens significantly associated with BMIz at birth in girls alone (β = - 0.72, 95% CI: - 1.40, - 0.04). The relation of maternal androgens with fetal growth restriction revealed dose threshold effects that differed by sex. There was no significant association between maternal androgens and weight trajectory overall. However, we found a significant sex interaction (p = 0.01); higher maternal androgen levels associated with accelerated catch-up growth in boys (aOR = 2.14, 95% CI: 1.14, 4.03). CONCLUSION Our findings provide evidence that maternal androgens may have differential effects on the programming of intrauterine growth and postnatal weight gain depending on fetal sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Huang
- Section of Men's Health, Aging and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - S A Aroner
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - C P Bay
- Center for Clinical Investigation, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - S E Gilman
- Social and Behavioral Sciences Branch, Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - A Ghassabian
- Departments of Pediatrics, Environmental Medicine, and Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - E B Loucks
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - S L Buka
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - R J Handa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - B L Lasley
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Center for Health and the Environment, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Center for Health and the Environment, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - S Bhasin
- Section of Men's Health, Aging and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - J M Goldstein
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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31
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Mishra JS, Kumar S. Activation of angiotensin type 2 receptor attenuates testosterone-induced hypertension and uterine vascular resistance in pregnant rats†. Biol Reprod 2021; 105:192-203. [PMID: 33739377 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-related hypertensive disorder with unclear mechanisms. While hypersensitivity to angiotensin II via vasoconstrictive angiotensin type-1 receptor (AT1R) is observed in preeclampsia, the importance of vasodilatory angiotensin type-2 receptor (AT2R) in the control of vascular dysfunction is less clear. We assessed whether AT1R, AT2R, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression are altered in placental vessels of preeclamptic women and tested if ex vivo incubation with AT2R agonist Compound 21 (C21; 1 μM) could restore AT1R, AT2R, and eNOS balance. Further, using a rat model of gestational hypertension induced by elevated testosterone, we examined whether C21 (1 μg/kg/day, oral) could preserve AT1R and AT2R balance and improve blood pressure, uterine artery blood flow, and vascular function. Western blots revealed that AT1R protein level was higher while AT2R and eNOS protein were reduced in preeclamptic placental vessels, and AT2R agonist C21 decreased AT1R and increased AT2R and eNOS protein levels in preeclamptic vessels. In testosterone dams, blood pressure was higher, and uterine artery blood flow was reduced, and C21 treatment reversed these levels similar to those in controls dams. C21 attenuated the exaggerated Ang II contraction and improved endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation in uterine arteries of testosterone dams. These C21-mediated vascular effects were associated with decreased AT1R and increased AT2R and eNOS protein levels. C21 also increased serum nitrate/nitrite and bradykinin production in testosterone dams and attenuated the fetoplacental growth restriction. Thus, AT1R upregulation and AT2R downregulation are observed in preeclampsia and testosterone model, and increasing AT2R activity could help restore AT1R and AT2R balance and improve gestational vascular function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jay S Mishra
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Sathish Kumar
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.,Endocrinology-Reproductive Physiology Program, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
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32
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Testosterone exposure in prenatal life disrupts epithelial nuclear morphology, smooth muscle layer pattern, and FGF10 and Shh expression in prostate. Life Sci 2021; 271:119198. [PMID: 33577857 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119198] [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: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate whether high levels of exogenous testosterone (T) interfere in prostate morphogenesis. Pregnant females were exposed to subcutaneous injections of T cypionate (500 μg/animal) at gestational days 20 and 22. Male and female pups were euthanized at postnatal days 1 and 15. 15-day-old males had only fibroblast growth factor 10 (FGF10) immunostaining and nuclear form factor altered by the treatment, whereas treated females (T1 and T15) had almost all analyzed parameters changed. T1 females showed an increased anogenital distance (AGD), whereas T15 females had both AGD and ovary weight increased. T1 females had a higher number of epithelial buds emerging from the urethral and vaginal epithelium. We observed ectopic prostatic tissue surrounding the vagina in both T1 and T15 females. Moreover, the ectopic acini of T15 females showed delayed luminal formation, and there was a thickening of the periacinar smooth muscle layer (SML). Finally, FGF10 immunostaining intensity decreased in both T15 male and female prostates. Indeed, Sonic hedgehog (Shh) was upregulated in T15 female prostates, whereas no difference was observed between the male groups. These data showed that exogenous T changed the nuclear morphology of prostate epithelial cells in both males and females. Surprisingly, smooth muscle hyperplasia was also observed in the ectopic female prostate. Moreover, T downregulated FGF10 in both male and female prostates. Interestingly, the results suggest that FGF10 downregulation is mediated by the upregulation of Shh in females. In conclusion, exogenous T disrupts prostate development, particularly, affecting, the female.
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33
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Alon T, Matas D, Koren L, Gootwine E. Higher cortisol and testosterone levels in sheep with larger litter sizes. Livest Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2020.104381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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34
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Ali AA, Cui X, Pertile RAN, Li X, Medley G, Alexander SA, Whitehouse AJO, McGrath JJ, Eyles DW. Developmental vitamin D deficiency increases foetal exposure to testosterone. Mol Autism 2020; 11:96. [PMID: 33298169 PMCID: PMC7727109 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-020-00399-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of neurodevelopmental disorders which are more common in males. The ‘prenatal sex steroid’ hypothesis links excessive sex-steroid exposure during foetal life with the behavioural differences observed in ASD. However, the reason why sex steroid exposure may be excessive remains unclear. Epidemiological studies have identified several environmental risk factors associated with ASD, including developmental vitamin D (DVD) deficiency. We have demonstrated in an animal model that DVD-deficiency is associated with a hyper-inflammatory response in placentas from male but not female foetuses. Vitamin D also regulates the expression of several steroidogenic enzymes in vitro. Therefore using this animal model, we have examined whether DVD-deficiency leads to increased sex-steroid levels in both the maternal and foetal compartments. Methods Female rats are fed a vitamin D deficient diet from 6 weeks before mating until tissue collection at embryonic day 18. We examined the levels of testosterone, androstenedione and corticosterone in maternal plasma, foetal brains and amniotic fluid. We further examined gene expressions of steroidogenic enzymes and DNA methylation of aromatase promoters in foetal brains as a potential molecular mechanism regulating testosterone expression. Results We show that DVD-deficiency increases testosterone levels in maternal blood. We also show elevated levels of testosterone and androstenedione in the amniotic fluid of female but not male DVD-deficient foetuses. Testosterone levels were also elevated in DVD-deficient male brains. Vitamin D, like other steroid-related hormones, regulates gene expression via methylation. Therefore we examined whether the significant elevation in testosterone in male brains was due to such a potential gene-silencing mechanism. We show that the promoter of aromatase was hyper-methylated compared to male controls. Limitations A reduction in aromatase, in addition to causing excessive testosterone, could also lead to a reduction in estradiol which was not examined here. Conclusions This study is the first to show how an epidemiologically established environmental risk factor for ASD may selectively elevate testosterone in male embryonic brains. These findings provide further mechanistic support for the prenatal sex steroid theory of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asad Amanat Ali
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Xiaoying Cui
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia.,Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, The Park Centre for Mental Health, Wacol, QLD, Australia
| | | | - Xiang Li
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Gregory Medley
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Suzanne Adele Alexander
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia.,Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, The Park Centre for Mental Health, Wacol, QLD, Australia
| | - Andrew J O Whitehouse
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - John Joseph McGrath
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia.,Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, The Park Centre for Mental Health, Wacol, QLD, Australia.,NCRR-National Centre for Register-Based Research, Department of Economics and Business Economics, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Darryl Walter Eyles
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia. .,Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, The Park Centre for Mental Health, Wacol, QLD, Australia.
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Wilson HA, Creighton C, Scharfman H, Choleris E, MacLusky NJ. Endocrine Insights into the Pathophysiology of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Neuroscientist 2020; 27:650-667. [PMID: 32912048 DOI: 10.1177/1073858420952046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a class of neurodevelopmental disorders that affects males more frequently than females. Numerous genetic and environmental risk factors have been suggested to contribute to the development of ASD. However, no one factor can adequately explain either the frequency of the disorder or the male bias in its prevalence. Gonadal, thyroid, and glucocorticoid hormones all contribute to normal development of the brain, hence perturbations in either their patterns of secretion or their actions may constitute risk factors for ASD. Environmental factors may contribute to ASD etiology by influencing the development of neuroendocrine and neuroimmune systems during early life. Emerging evidence suggests that the placenta may be particularly important as a mediator of the actions of environmental and endocrine risk factors on the developing brain, with the male being particularly sensitive to these effects. Understanding how various risk factors integrate to influence neural development may facilitate a clearer understanding of the etiology of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayley A Wilson
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Carolyn Creighton
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Helen Scharfman
- Departments of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Neuroscience & Physiology, and Psychiatry, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, USA.,Center for Dementia Research, The Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, USA
| | - Elena Choleris
- Department of Psychology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Neil J MacLusky
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
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Mishra JS, Blesson CS, Kumar S. Testosterone Decreases Placental Mitochondrial Content and Cellular Bioenergetics. BIOLOGY 2020; 9:biology9070176. [PMID: 32698476 PMCID: PMC7407169 DOI: 10.3390/biology9070176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Placental mitochondrial dysfunction plays a central role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Since preeclampsia is a hyperandrogenic state, we hypothesized that elevated maternal testosterone levels induce damage to placental mitochondria and decrease bioenergetic profiles. To test this hypothesis, pregnant Sprague–Dawley rats were injected with vehicle or testosterone propionate (0.5 mg/kg/day) from gestation day (GD) 15 to 19. On GD20, the placentas were isolated to assess mitochondrial structure, copy number, ATP/ADP ratio, and biogenesis (Pgc-1α and Nrf1). In addition, in vitro cultures of human trophoblasts (HTR-8/SVneo) were treated with dihydrotestosterone (0.3, 1.0, and 3.0 nM), and bioenergetic profiles using seahorse analyzer were assessed. Testosterone exposure in pregnant rats led to a 2-fold increase in plasma testosterone levels with an associated decrease in placental and fetal weights compared with controls. Elevated maternal testosterone levels induced structural damage to the placental mitochondria and decreased mitochondrial copy number. The ATP/ADP ratio was reduced with a parallel decrease in the mRNA and protein expression of Pgc-1α and Nrf1 in the placenta of testosterone-treated rats compared with controls. In cultured trophoblasts, dihydrotestosterone decreased the mitochondrial copy number and reduced PGC-1α, NRF1 mRNA, and protein levels without altering the expression of mitochondrial fission/fusion genes. Dihydrotestosterone exposure induced significant mitochondrial energy deficits with a dose-dependent decrease in basal respiration, ATP-linked respiration, maximal respiration, and spare respiratory capacity. In summary, our study suggests that the placental mitochondrial dysfunction induced by elevated maternal testosterone might be a potential mechanism linking preeclampsia to feto-placental growth restriction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jay S. Mishra
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA;
| | - Chellakkan S. Blesson
- Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Division, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine and Family Fertility Center, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Sathish Kumar
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA;
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53792, USA
- Endocrinology-Reproductive Physiology Program, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53715, USA
- Correspondence:
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Su AL, Loch-Caruso R. Comparison of rat fetal sex determination using placental gDNA and mRNA via qRT-PCR. JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND METHODS 2020; 3:107. [PMID: 33196062 PMCID: PMC7665159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
A growing need exists to consider fetal sex as a biological variable and accurately assess sex-specific effects. Among the multiple methods used to determine fetal sex, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) of Sry (sex-determining region Y) with genomic DNA (gDNA) is commonly used in addition to use of methodologies such as transcriptomics and detection of Barr body. However, Sry messenger RNA (mRNA), a product of Sry gDNA, has not been previously assessed for sex determination. Using placental samples from timed-pregnant Wistar rats at gestational day (GD) 16, this study assessed the compatibility of Sry detection using gDNA versus mRNA to determine fetal sex. Samples used in this current study come from a larger study that investigated trichloroethylene (TCE) reproductive toxicity and potential modulation by N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) and aminooxyacetic acid (AOAA). In 90 out of 91 samples, the sex classification determined by gDNA matched the sex classification determined by mRNA analyzing Sry (Sry/B2m) values. For both gDNA and mRNA, statistically significant differences in Sry/B2m values between males and females were observed with samples considered in totality and when samples were separated by treatment groups (all comparisons were p<0.01 or below, and all but two comparisons were p<0.001 or below). Finally, the validity of using Sry Cq values to determine fetal sex and the B2m reference gene were also discussed. Together, this study suggests that determination of fetal sex in Wistar rats can be accomplished using Sry measurements in gDNA or mRNA with highly compatible results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony L. Su
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029 USA
- Current address: Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
| | - Rita Loch-Caruso
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029 USA
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38
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Stener-Victorin E, Padmanabhan V, Walters KA, Campbell RE, Benrick A, Giacobini P, Dumesic DA, Abbott DH. Animal Models to Understand the Etiology and Pathophysiology of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Endocr Rev 2020; 41:bnaa010. [PMID: 32310267 PMCID: PMC7279705 DOI: 10.1210/endrev/bnaa010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 158] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
More than 1 out of 10 women worldwide are diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the leading cause of female reproductive and metabolic dysfunction. Despite its high prevalence, PCOS and its accompanying morbidities are likely underdiagnosed, averaging > 2 years and 3 physicians before women are diagnosed. Although it has been intensively researched, the underlying cause(s) of PCOS have yet to be defined. In order to understand PCOS pathophysiology, its developmental origins, and how to predict and prevent PCOS onset, there is an urgent need for safe and effective markers and treatments. In this review, we detail which animal models are more suitable for contributing to our understanding of the etiology and pathophysiology of PCOS. We summarize and highlight advantages and limitations of hormonal or genetic manipulation of animal models, as well as of naturally occurring PCOS-like females.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vasantha Padmanabhan
- Departments of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Kirsty A Walters
- Fertility & Research Centre, School of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rebecca E Campbell
- Centre for Neuroendocrinology and Department of Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Anna Benrick
- Department of Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- School of Health Sciences and Education, University of Skövde, Skövde, Sweden
| | - Paolo Giacobini
- University of Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1172 - LilNCog - Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Daniel A Dumesic
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, California
| | - David H Abbott
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
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Chopra A, Radhakrishnan R, Sharma M. Porphyromonas gingivalis and adverse pregnancy outcomes: a review on its intricate pathogenic mechanisms. Crit Rev Microbiol 2020; 46:213-236. [PMID: 32267781 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2020.1747392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), a Gram-negative facultative anaerobe of the oral cavity, is associated with the onset of various adverse pregnancy outcomes. P. gingivalis is linked with the development of preeclampsia, preterm labour, spontaneous abortion, gestational diabetes, foetal growth restriction, and misconception. The unique virulence factors, surface adhesions, enzymes of P. gingivalis can directly injure and alter the morphology, microbiome the foetal and maternal tissues. P. gingivalis can even exaggerate the production of cytokines, free radicals and acute-phase proteins in the uterine compartment that increases the risk of myometrial contraction and onset of preterm labour. Although evidence confirms the presence of P. gingivalis in the amniotic fluid and placenta of women with poor pregnancy outcomes, the intricate molecular mechanisms by which P. gingivalis initiates various antenatal and postnatal maternal and foetal complications are not well explained in the literature. Therefore, the present review aims to comprehensively summarise and highlight the recent and unique molecular pathogenic mechanisms of P. gingivalis associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditi Chopra
- Department of Periodontology, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Raghu Radhakrishnan
- Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Mohit Sharma
- Department of Oral Pathology, Sudha Rustagi College of Dental Sciences & Research, Faridabad, India
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Day DB, Collett BR, Barrett ES, Bush NR, Swan SH, Wang C, Sathyanarayana S. Prenatal sex hormones and behavioral outcomes in children. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2020; 113:104547. [PMID: 31901731 PMCID: PMC7759302 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2019.104547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Revised: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Abnormal sex hormone levels in utero have been associated with child behavioral problems, but it is unclear if normal variation in prenatal sex hormones is associated with subsequent behavior in childhood. We assessed maternal sex hormones, including serum estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), estriol (E3), free testosterone (FT), and total testosterone (TT), during early pregnancy (gestational week 6-21 (mean = 11.1)) and evaluated child behavior at ages 4-5 using the Behavioral Assessment System for Children (BASC-2) and Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS-2) in 404 mother/child pairs (211 girls, 193 boys) within The Infant Development and Environment Study, a multi-site pregnancy cohort study. Associations between hormones and composite scores were evaluated using multiple linear regressions in both sexes combined, and separate models assessed effect modification by sex with the addition of interaction terms. A 10-fold increase in maternal FT or TT was associated in both sexes with a 4.3-point (95 % CI: 0.5, 8.2) or 4.4-point (0.8, 8.0) higher BASC-2 internalizing composite T score, respectively. In addition, a 10-fold increase in FT or TT was associated with a 3.8-point (0.04, 7.5) or 4.0-point (0.5, 7.5) higher behavioral symptoms index composite score. In models evaluating effect modification by sex, a 10-fold increase in E1 was associated with a 4.3-point (1.2, 7.4) decrease in adaptive skills composite score in girls only (interaction p = 0.04). We observed associations between testosterone and internalizing behaviors and behavioral symptoms index in both sexes, as well as a female-specific association between E1 and adaptive skills. Sex hormones during pregnancy may play a key role in influencing later-life behavior, and additional studies should further examine different periods of susceptibility to hormonal signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drew B Day
- Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States.
| | - Brent R Collett
- Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA,University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | | | - Nicole R Bush
- University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Shanna H Swan
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Christina Wang
- Lundquist Institute, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA
| | - Sheela Sathyanarayana
- Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA,University of Washington, Seattle, WA
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41
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Wilson HA, Martin ER, Howes C, Wasson CS, Newman AE, Choleris E, MacLusky NJ. Low dose prenatal testosterone exposure decreases the corticosterone response to stress in adult male, but not female, mice. Brain Res 2020; 1729:146613. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2019.146613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Revised: 12/08/2019] [Accepted: 12/14/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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42
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Chen Y, Dinges MM, Green A, Cramer SE, Larive CK, Lytle C. Absorptive transport of amino acids by the rat colon. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2020; 318:G189-G202. [PMID: 31760764 PMCID: PMC6985843 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00277.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The capacity of the colon to absorb microbially produced amino acids (AAs) and the underlying mechanisms of AA transport are incompletely defined. We measured the profile of 16 fecal AAs along the rat ceco-colonic axis and compared unidirectional absorptive AA fluxes across mucosal tissues isolated from the rat jejunum, cecum, and proximal colon using an Ussing chamber approach, in conjunction with 1H-NMR and ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry chemical analyses. Passage of stool from cecum to midcolon was associated with segment-specific changes in fecal AA composition and a decrease in total AA content. Simultaneous measurement of up to 16 AA fluxes under native luminal conditions, with correction for endogenous AA release, demonstrated absorptive transfer of AAs across the cecum and proximal colon at rates comparable (30-80%) to those across the jejunum, with significant Na+-dependent and H+-stimulated components. Expression profiling of 30 major AA transporter genes by quantitative PCR revealed comparatively high levels of transcripts for 20 AA transporters in the cecum and/or colon, with the levels of 12 exceeding those in the small intestine. Our results suggest a more detailed model of major apical and basolateral AA transporters in rat colonocytes and provide evidence for a previously unappreciated transfer of AAs across the colonic epithelium that could link the prodigious metabolic capacities of the luminal microbiota, the colonocytes, and the body tissues.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study provides evidence for a previously unappreciated transfer of microbially generated amino acids across the colonic epithelium under physiological conditions that could link the prodigious metabolic capacities of the luminal microbiota, the colonocytes, and the body tissues. The segment-specific expression of at least 20 amino acid transporter genes along the colon provides a detailed mechanistic basis for uniport, heteroexchange, Na+-cotransport, and H+-cotransport components of colonic amino acid absorption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxin Chen
- 1Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, California
| | - Meredith M. Dinges
- 2Department of Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, California
| | - Andrew Green
- 2Department of Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, California
| | - Scott E. Cramer
- 1Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, California
| | - Cynthia K. Larive
- 2Department of Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, California
| | - Christian Lytle
- 1Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, California
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Abstract
Amino acids are not only the building blocks of proteins, an indispensable component of cells, but also play versatile roles in regulating cell metabolism, proliferation, differentiation and growth by themselves or through their derivatives. At the whole body level, the bioavailability and metabolism of amino acids, interacting with other macronutrients, is critical for the physiological processes of reproduction including gametogenesis, fertilization, implantation, placentation, fetal growth and development. In fertilization and early pregnancy, histotroph in oviductal and uterine secretions provides nutrients and microenvironment for conceptus (embryo and extraembryonic membranes) development. These nutrients include select amino acids in histotroph (arginine, leucine and glutamine of particular interest) that stimulate conceptus growth and development, as well as interactions between maternal uterus and the conceptus, thus impacting maintenance of pregnancy, placental growth, development and functions, fetal growth and development, and consequential pregnancy outcomes. Gestational protein undernutrition causes fetal growth restriction and predisposes cardiovascular, metabolic diseases and others in offspring via multiple mechanisms, whereas the supplementation of glycine, leucine and taurine during pregnancy partially rescues growth restriction and beneficially modulates fetal programming. Thus, amino acids are essential for the fertility of humans and all animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haijun Gao
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA.
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44
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Kelley AS, Smith YR, Padmanabhan V. A Narrative Review of Placental Contribution to Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2019; 104:5299-5315. [PMID: 31393571 PMCID: PMC6767873 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2019-00383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy of reproductive-aged women. In pregnancy, women with PCOS experience increased risk of miscarriage, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and extremes of fetal birth weight, and their offspring are predisposed to reproductive and cardiometabolic dysfunction in adulthood. Pregnancy complications, adverse fetal outcomes, and developmental programming of long-term health risks are known to have placental origins. These findings highlight the plausibility of placental compromise in pregnancies of women with PCOS. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS A comprehensive PubMed search was performed using terms "polycystic ovary syndrome," "placenta," "developmental programming," "hyperandrogenism," "androgen excess," "insulin resistance," "hyperinsulinemia," "pregnancy," and "pregnancy complications" in both human and animal experimental models. CONCLUSIONS There is limited human placental research specific to pregnancy of women with PCOS. Gestational androgen excess and insulin resistance are two clinical hallmarks of PCOS that may contribute to placental dysfunction and underlie the higher rates of maternal-fetal complications observed in pregnancies of women with PCOS. Additional research is needed to prevent adverse maternal and developmental outcomes in women with PCOS and their offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela S Kelley
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Yolanda R Smith
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Vasantha Padmanabhan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Correspondence and Reprint Requests: Vasantha Padmanabhan, PhD, Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, 7510 MSRB 1, 1500 West Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109. E-mail:
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Vaughan OR, Powell TL, Jansson T. Glucocorticoid regulation of amino acid transport in primary human trophoblast cells. J Mol Endocrinol 2019; 63:239-248. [PMID: 31505460 PMCID: PMC6872941 DOI: 10.1530/jme-19-0183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Excess maternal glucocorticoids reduce placental amino acid transport and fetal growth, but whether these effects are mediated directly on the syncytiotrophoblast remains unknown. We hypothesised that glucocorticoids inhibit mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling and insulin-stimulated System A amino acid transport activity in primary human trophoblast (PHT) cells. Syncytialised PHTs, isolated from term placentas (n = 15), were treated with either cortisol (1 μM) or dexamethasone (1 μM), ± insulin (1 nM) for 24 h. Compared to vehicle, dexamethasone increased mRNA expression, but not protein abundance of the mTOR suppressor, regulated in development and DNA damage response 1 (REDD1). Dexamethasone enhanced insulin receptor abundance, activated mTOR complex 1 and 2 signaling and stimulated System A activity, measured by Na+-dependent 14C-methylaminoisobutyric acid uptake. Cortisol also activated mTORC1 without significantly altering insulin receptor or mTORC2 read-outs or System A activity. Both glucocorticoids downregulated expression of the glucocorticoid receptor and the System A transporter genes SLC38A1, SLC38A2 and SLC38A4, without altering SNAT1 or SNAT4 protein abundance. Neither cortisol nor dexamethasone affected System L amino acid transport. Insulin further enhanced mTOR and System A activity, irrespective of glucocorticoid treatment and despite downregulating its own receptor. Contrary to our hypothesis, glucocorticoids do not inhibit mTOR signaling or cause insulin resistance in cultured PHT cells. We speculate that glucocorticoids stimulate System A activity in PHT cells by activating mTOR signaling, which regulates amino acid transporters post-translationally. We conclude that downregulation of placental nutrient transport in vivo following excess maternal glucocorticoids is not mediated by a direct effect on the placenta.
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Affiliation(s)
- O R Vaughan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - T L Powell
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - T Jansson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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46
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Menchini RJ, Chaudhry FA. Multifaceted regulation of the system A transporter Slc38a2 suggests nanoscale regulation of amino acid metabolism and cellular signaling. Neuropharmacology 2019; 161:107789. [PMID: 31574264 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.107789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Amino acids are essential for cellular protein synthesis, growth, metabolism, signaling and in stress responses. Cell plasma membranes harbor specialized transporters accumulating amino acids to support a variety of cellular biochemical pathways. Several transporters for neutral amino acids have been characterized. However, Slc38a2 (also known as SA1, SAT2, ATA2, SNAT2) representing the classical transport system A activity stands in a unique position: Being a secondarily active transporter energized by the electrochemical gradient of Na+, it creates steep concentration gradients for amino acids such as glutamine: this may subsequently drive the accumulation of additional neutral amino acids through exchange via transport systems ASC and L. Slc38a2 is ubiquitously expressed, yet in a cell-specific manner. In this review, we show that Slc38a2 is regulated at the transcriptional and translational levels as well as by ions and proteins through direct interactions. We describe how Slc38a2 senses amino acid availability and passes this onto intracellular signaling pathways and how it regulates protein synthesis, cellular proliferation and apoptosis through the mechanistic (mammalian) target of rapamycin (mTOR) and general control nonderepressible 2 (GCN2) pathways. Furthermore, we review how this extensively regulated transporter contributes to cellular osmoadaptation and how it is regulated by endoplasmic reticulum stress and various hormonal stimuli to promote cellular metabolism, cellular signaling and cell survival. This article is part of the issue entitled 'Special Issue on Neurotransmitter Transporters'.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Farrukh Abbas Chaudhry
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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47
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Review: Understanding the role of androgens and placental AR variants: Insight into steroid-dependent fetal-placental growth and development. Placenta 2019; 84:63-68. [DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2019.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Revised: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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48
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Origins and Impact of Psychological Traits in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Med Sci (Basel) 2019; 7:medsci7080086. [PMID: 31387252 PMCID: PMC6723772 DOI: 10.3390/medsci7080086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Revised: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) exhibit compromised psychiatric health. Independent of obesity, women with PCOS are more susceptible to have anxiety and depression diagnoses and other neuropsychiatric disorders. During pregnancy women with PCOS display high circulating androgen levels that may cause prenatal androgen exposure affecting the growing fetus and increasing the risk of mood disorders in offspring. Increasing evidence supports a non-genetic, maternal contribution to the development of PCOS and anxiety disorders in the next generation. Prenatal androgenized rodent models reflecting the anxiety-like phenotype of PCOS in the offspring, found evidence for the altered placenta and androgen receptor function in the amygdala, together with changes in the expression of genes associated with emotional regulation and steroid receptors in the amygdala and hippocampus. These findings defined a previously unknown mechanism that may be critical in understanding how maternal androgen excess can increase the risk of developing anxiety disorders in daughters and partly in sons of PCOS mothers. Maternal obesity is another common feature of PCOS causing an unfavorable intrauterine environment which may contribute to psychiatric problems in the offspring. Whether environmental factors such as prenatal androgen exposure and obesity increase the offspring's susceptibility to develop psychiatric ill-health will be discussed.
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49
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Mishra JS, More AS, Kumar S. Elevated androgen levels induce hyperinsulinemia through increase in Ins1 transcription in pancreatic beta cells in female rats. Biol Reprod 2019; 98:520-531. [PMID: 29365042 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioy017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 01/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Hyperandrogenism is associated with hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance in adult females. We tested whether androgens dysregulate pancreatic beta cell function to induce hyperinsulinemia through transcriptional regulation of insulin gene (Ins) in the islets. Adult female Wistar rats implanted with dihydrotestosterone (DHT; 7.5-mg, 90-d release) or placebo pellets were examined after 10 weeks. DHT exposure increased plasma DHT levels by 2-fold similar to that in polycystic ovary syndrome in women. DHT exposure induced hyperinsulinemia with increased HOMA-IR index in fasting state and glucose intolerance and exaggerated insulin responses following glucose tolerance test. DHT females had no change in islet number, size and beta cell proliferation/apoptosis but exhibited significant mitochondrial dysfunction (higher ADP/ATP ratio, decreased mtDNA copy number, increased reactive oxygen production and downregulation of mitochondrial biogenesis) and enhanced glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Ins expression was increased in DHT islets. In vitro incubation of control islets with DHT dose dependently stimulated Ins transcription. Analysis of Ins1 gene revealed a putative androgen responsive element in the promoter. Chromatin-immunoprecipitation assays showed that androgen receptors bind to this element in response to DHT stimulation. Furthermore, reporter assays showed that the promoter element is highly responsive to androgens. Insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in skeletal muscle was decreased with associated decrease in IRβ expression in DHT females. Our studies identified a novel androgen-mediated mechanism for the control of Ins expression via transcriptional regulation providing a molecular mechanism linking elevated androgens and hyperinsulemia. Decreased IRβ expression in the skeletal muscles may contribute, in part, to glucose intolerance in this model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jay S Mishra
- Department of Comparative Biosciences and Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Amar S More
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Sathish Kumar
- Department of Comparative Biosciences and Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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Mossa F, Latham KE, Ireland JJ, Veiga-Lopez A. Undernutrition and hyperandrogenism during pregnancy: Role in programming of cardiovascular disease and infertility. Mol Reprod Dev 2019; 86:1255-1264. [PMID: 31347224 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Maternal nutritional status programs the development of several systems in female offspring, with effects that depend on the severity, duration, and window of development when the nutritional perturbation is imposed. On the basis of the developmental origins of health and disease concept, we hypothesize that gestational low caloric intake may induce maternal subclinical hyperandrogenism during early pregnancy and compromise cardiovascular health and fertility in the female offspring. To examine this possibility, a literature search for human and animal studies was conducted using two electronic databases, PubMed and Cochrane until April 2019 to address the following questions: (a) Do androgens have a developmental role in cardiovascular and ovarian development? (b) Is excess maternal testosterone linked to cardiovascular disease and infertility? and (c) Could early pregnancy undernutrition enhance maternal androgen production and compromise health and fertility in female offspring? The observations reviewed, establish a potential causative link between maternal undernutrition and subclinical hyperandrogenism with hypertension and reduced ovarian reserve in the progeny. Further studies in appropriate models are needed to better understand whether low energy intake and subclinical maternal hyperandrogenism during early pregnancy can negatively affect the health of the female offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Mossa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Keith E Latham
- Department of Animal Science, Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
| | - James J Ireland
- Department of Animal Science, Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
| | - Almudena Veiga-Lopez
- Department of Animal Science, Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
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