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Repouskou A, Panagiotidou E, Panagopoulou L, Bisting PL, Tuck AR, Sjödin MOD, Lindberg J, Bozas E, Rüegg J, Gennings C, Bornehag CG, Damdimopoulou P, Stamatakis A, Kitraki E. Gestational exposure to an epidemiologically defined mixture of phthalates leads to gonadal dysfunction in mouse offspring of both sexes. Sci Rep 2019; 9:6424. [PMID: 31015488 PMCID: PMC6478857 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-42377-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2018] [Accepted: 03/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The increasing concern for the reproductive toxicity of abundantly used phthalates requires reliable tools for exposure risk assessment to mixtures of chemicals, based on real life human exposure and disorder-associated epidemiological evidence. We herein used a mixture of four phthalate monoesters (33% mono-butyl phthalate, 16% mono-benzyl phthalate, 21% mono-ethyl hexyl phthalate, and 30% mono-isononyl phthalate), detected in 1st trimester urine of 194 pregnant women and identified as bad actors for a shorter anogenital distance (AGD) in their baby boys. Mice were treated with 0, 0.26, 2.6 and 13 mg/kg/d of the mixture, corresponding to 0x, 10x, 100x, 500x levels detected in the pregnant women. Adverse outcomes detected in the reproductive system of the offspring in pre-puberty and adulthood included reduced AGD index and gonadal weight, changes in gonadal histology and altered expression of key regulators of gonadal growth and steroidogenesis. Most aberrations were apparent in both sexes, though more pronounced in males, and exhibited a non-monotonic pattern. The phthalate mixture directly affected expression of steroidogenesis as demonstrated in a relevant in vitro model. The detected adversities at exposures close to the levels detected in pregnant women, raise concern on the existing safety limits for early-life human exposures and emphasizes the need for re-evaluation of the exposure risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Repouskou
- Laboratory of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Athens, Greece
| | - Emily Panagiotidou
- Laboratory of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Athens, Greece
- Biology-Biochemistry laboratory, Faculty of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, NKUA, Athens, Greece
| | - Lydia Panagopoulou
- Laboratory of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Athens, Greece
| | | | - Astrud R Tuck
- Swetox, Karolinska Institutet, Unit of Toxicological Sciences, Södertälje, Sweden
| | - Marcus O D Sjödin
- Swetox, Karolinska Institutet, Unit of Toxicological Sciences, Södertälje, Sweden
| | - Johan Lindberg
- Swetox, Karolinska Institutet, Unit of Toxicological Sciences, Södertälje, Sweden
| | - Evangelos Bozas
- Pediatric Research laboratory, Faculty of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, NKUA, Athens, Greece
| | - Joëlle Rüegg
- Swetox, Karolinska Institutet, Unit of Toxicological Sciences, Södertälje, Sweden
- IMM -Institute for Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Chris Gennings
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Carl-Gustaf Bornehag
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden
| | - Pauliina Damdimopoulou
- Swetox, Karolinska Institutet, Unit of Toxicological Sciences, Södertälje, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Antonios Stamatakis
- Biology-Biochemistry laboratory, Faculty of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, NKUA, Athens, Greece
| | - Efthymia Kitraki
- Laboratory of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Athens, Greece.
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Scott HM, Mason JI, Sharpe RM. Steroidogenesis in the fetal testis and its susceptibility to disruption by exogenous compounds. Endocr Rev 2009; 30:883-925. [PMID: 19887492 DOI: 10.1210/er.2009-0016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 256] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Masculinization depends on adequate production of testosterone by the fetal testis within a specific "masculinization programming window." Disorders resulting from subtle deficiencies in this process are common in humans, and environmental exposures/lifestyle could contribute causally because common therapeutic and environmental compounds can affect steroidogenesis. This evidence derives mainly from rodent studies, but because there are major species differences in regulation of steroidogenesis in the fetal testis, this may not always be a guide to potential effects in the human. In addition to direct study of the effects of compounds on steroidogenesis, information also derives from study of masculinization disorders that result from mutations in genes in pathways regulating steroidogenesis. This review addresses this issue by critically reviewing the comparative timing of production and regulation of steroidogenesis in the fetal testis of humans and of rodents and its susceptibility to disruption; where there is limited information for the fetus, evidence from effects on steroidogenesis in the adult testis is considered. There are a number of fundamental regulatory differences between the human and rodent fetal testis, most notably in the importance of paracrine vs. endocrine drives during masculinization such that inactivating LH receptor mutations block masculinization in humans but not in rodents. Other large differences involve the steroidogenic response to estrogens and GnRH analogs and possibly phthalates, whereas for other compounds there may be differences in sensitivity to disruption (ketoconazole). This comparison identifies steroidogenic targets that are either vulnerable (mitochondrial cholesterol transport, CYP11A, CYP17) or not (cholesterol uptake) to chemical interference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayley M Scott
- MRC Human Reproductive Sciences Unit, Centre for Reproductive Biology, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK
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Huang BM, Liu MY. INHIBITORY ACTIONS OF LEAD ON STEROIDOGENESIS IN MA-10 MOUSE LEYDIG TUMOR CELLS. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 50:5-9. [PMID: 14660163 DOI: 10.1080/01485010490250434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The inhibitory actions of Pb on StAR protein expression and steroidogenic enzymes on steroidogenesis were analyzed by both linear and 2nd order polynomial models in MA-10 mouse Leydig tumor cells. Lead acetate, ranging from 10(-8) M to 10(-5) M, caused inhibitory effects on StAR protein expression and steroidogenic enzymes. The correlation coefficients R2 (linear vs. 2nd order polynomial) were 0.93 vs. 0.96 for human chorionic gonadotropin-stimulated progesterone production, 0.38 vs. 0.79 for dibutyryl cAMP-stimulated progesterone production, 0.03 vs. 0.99 for the expression of StAR protein, 0.6 vs. 0.92 for P450 side-chain cleavage enzyme activity, and 0.52 vs. 0.96 for 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity. Thus, 2nd order polynomial model showed higher correlation coefficients than the linear model for predicting inhibitory actions of Pb on StAR protein expression and the activities of steroidogenic enzymes after exposure of Pb on steroidogenesis in MA-10 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- B-M Huang
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, National Cheng Kung University, Medical College, Tainan 704, Taiwan
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Mikkilä TFM, Toppari J, Paranko J. Effects of neonatal exposure to 4-tert-octylphenol, diethylstilbestrol, and flutamide on steroidogenesis in infantile rat testis. Toxicol Sci 2006; 91:456-66. [PMID: 16537657 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfj156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure of neonatal testis, populated by fetal-type Leydig cells, to endocrine-active compounds may have far-reaching consequences. Our aim was to resolve the sensitivity of testosterone synthesis of infant rat (Sprague-Dawley) testis to diethylstilbestrol (DES; 0.1-1.0 mg/kg), 4-tert-octylphenol (OP; 10-100 mg/kg), and Flutamide (FLU; 2.0-25 mg/kg) given by daily sc injections from birth to postnatal day 4. Testes and serum were collected on day 14 when body and testis weight, testicular histology, circulating testosterone, LH and FSH levels, and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) and 3beta-hydroxy-steroid-dehydrogenase (3beta-HSD) protein levels were determined. DES at each dose and FLU at 25 mg/kg dose reduced testis weight and the diameter of seminiferous cords. FLU caused some Leydig cell hyperplasia. Plasma testosterone was reduced in all DES animals, LH elevated in DES 0.5 mg/kg and FLU 25 mg/kg animals, and FSH reduced in the DES 1.0 mg/kg group. Basal testicular ex vivo progesterone and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)-stimulated testosterone production were decreased in DES animals. Despite a decrease in hCG-induced cyclic adenosine-3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) production, intratesticular testosterone was increased in the FLU 10 and 25 mg/kg groups. OP 100 mg/kg elevated hCG-induced progesterone production only. No changes were seen in 3beta-HSD protein levels in any treatment group. StAR levels were reduced in DES animals. The results indicate the sensitivity of postnatal fetal-type Leydig cells to endocrine-active compounds. Suppression of StAR expression level was an early sign of the DES-induced steroidogenic lesion. FLU-induced changes suggest the importance of androgen receptor-mediated regulation of testosterone synthesis in the postnatal rat testis. Octylphenol appeared less effective in bringing about acute steroidogenic changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiina F M Mikkilä
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Department of Biology, University of Turku, 20520 Turku, Finland
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Hsu CC, Tsai SJ, Huang YL, Huang BM. Regulatory mechanism of Cordyceps sinensis mycelium on mouse Leydig cell steroidogenesis. FEBS Lett 2003; 543:140-3. [PMID: 12753921 DOI: 10.1016/s0014-5793(03)00427-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
We demonstrate the mechanism by which Cordyceps sinensis (CS) mycelium regulates Leydig cell steroidogenesis. Mouse Leydig cells were treated with forskolin, H89, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, staurosporine, or steroidogenic enzyme precursors with or without 3 mg/ml CS; then testosterone production was determined. H89, but not phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate or staurosporine, decreased CS-treated Leydig cell steroidogenesis. CS inhibited Leydig cell steroidogenesis by suppressing the activity of P450scc enzyme, but not 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, 17alpha-hydroxylase, 20alpha-hydroxylase, or 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase enzymes. Thus, CS activated the cAMP-protein kinase A signal pathway, but not protein kinase C, and attenuated P45scc enzyme activity to reduce human chorionic gonadotropin-stimulated steroidogenesis in purified mouse Leydig cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Chao Hsu
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, #1 Ta-Hsueh Road, 701, Tainan, Taiwan
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Huang BM, Lai HY, Liu MY. Concentration dependency in lead-inhibited steroidogenesis in MA-10 mouse Leydig tumor cells. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2002; 65:557-567. [PMID: 11939712 DOI: 10.1080/15287390252808000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Lead acetate (Pb) decreases the expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein and the enzymatic activities of cytochrome P-450 side-chain cleavage (P450scc) and 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3beta-HSD) in a concentration-dependent manner in Leydig cells at 2 h, the duration of submaximal inhibition. This study was undertaken at 3 h of Pb incubation to compare the effects at maximal metal inhibition of steroidogenesis. Quantitatively a 3-h Pb incubation with MA-10 cells resulted in higher decreases in human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)-stimulated progesterone production, expression of StAR protein, and the activity of 3beta-HSD compared to 2 h. In contrast, lead inhibited dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP)-stimulated progesterone production but lacked this effect at 2 h. Surprisingly, Pb at 3 h of incubation did not affect P450scc enzyme activity, yet this enzymatic activity was inhibited at 2 h. Data indicate that incubation time is a factor in Pb-induced alterations in MA- 10 cell steroidogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bu-Miin Huang
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, National Cheng Kung University Medical College, Tainan, Taiwan
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Thoreux-Manlay A, Le Goascogne C, Segretain D, Jégou B, Pinon-Lataillade G. Lead affects steroidogenesis in rat Leydig cells in vivo and in vitro. Toxicology 1995; 103:53-62. [PMID: 8525490 DOI: 10.1016/0300-483x(95)03107-q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Lead is known to impede the male reproductive function, however, the mechanisms through which the adverse effects are mediated are not clearly elucidated. In order to get insight into those mechanisms, we have examined the effects of lead on the biosynthesis of steroid hormones by Leydig cells in the rat. To determine whether lead has a direct action on Leydig cells, we have compared the concentrations of testosterone secreted by Leydig cells in ex vivo experiments after animals had been injected with high doses of lead and in vitro experiments with Leydig cells from normal rats maintained in culture in presence or absence of lead. In ex vivo experiments male Spargue-Dawley rats were injected i.p. with lead acetate (8 mg lead/kg/day, 5 days a week for 5 weeks) or with sodium acetate. Testosterone production by Leydig cells isolated and maintained in culture for 48 h was then assessed under basal conditions or after stimulation by human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG). Both basal and hCG-stimulated testosterone production dropped by 59% and 37%, respectively, with Leydig cells from lead-exposed rats. For in vitro experiments, cultures of Leydig cells from control rats were exposed to various concentrations of lead acetate for different periods. Dose and time-dependent reductions of testosterone level were observed in the culture medium. The effective doses of hCG for maximal and half-maximal testosterone production did not change, indicating that the sensitivity of Leydig cells to hCG was not impaired by exposure to lead in vitro. Progesterone production was also decreased after this exposure. The negative effect of lead on testosterone and progesterone production was correlated with the lower expression of the enzymes cytochromes P450scc (CYP11A1) and P450c17 (CYP17) and 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 beta-HSD) involved in steroid hormone biosynthesis, as shown by immunohistochemistry. Ultrastructural alterations of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum observed after lead administration might be correlated with the lower expression of the microsomal enzymes P450c17 and 3 beta-HSD. Our results indicate that lead can adversely affect the Leydig cell function by impairing directly steroidogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Thoreux-Manlay
- Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique (CEA), Département de Pathologie et Toxicologie Expérimentales, Fontenay-aux Roses, France
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