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Souza GS, Freitas IMM, Souza JC, Miraglia SM, Paccola CC. Transgenerational effects of maternal exposure to nicotine on structures of pituitary-gonadal axis of rats. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2023; 468:116525. [PMID: 37076090 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2023.116525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
Abstract
Smoking can lead to several diseases and cause a reduction in fertility in men and women. Among the various components of cigarettes harmful during pregnancy, nicotine stands out. It can cause a reduction in placental blood flow, compromising the development of the baby with neurological, reproductive and endocrine consequences. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the effects of nicotine on the pituitary-gonadal axis of rats exposed during pregnancy and breastfeeding (1st generation - F1), and whether the possible damage observed would reach the 2nd generation (F2). Pregnant Wistar rats received 2 mg/kg/day of nicotine throughout the entire gestation and lactation. Part of the offspring was evaluated on the first neonatal day (F1) for macroscopic, histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses of brain and gonads. Another part of the offspring was kept until 90 days-old for mating and obtainment of progenies that had the same parameters evaluated at the end of pregnancy (F2). The occurrence of malformations was more frequent and diversified in nicotine-exposed F2. Brain alterations, including reduced size and changes in cell proliferation and death, were seen in both generations of nicotine-exposed rats. Male and female gonads of F1 exposed rats were also affected. The F2 rats showed reduced cellular proliferation and increased cell death on the pituitary and ovaries, besides increased anogenital distance in females. The number of mast cells was not enough altered to indicate an inflammatory process in brain and gonads. We conclude that prenatal exposure to nicotine causes transgenerational alterations in the structures of pituitary-gonadal axis in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- G S Souza
- Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Morphology and Genetic, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - I M M Freitas
- Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Morphology and Genetic, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - J C Souza
- Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Morphology and Genetic, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - S M Miraglia
- Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Morphology and Genetic, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - C C Paccola
- Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Morphology and Genetic, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
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2
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Liu J, Huang J, Gao L, Sang Y, Li X, Zhou G, Cao L, Lu H, Zhou X, Ren L. Maternal exposure to PM 2.5 disrupting offspring spermatogenesis through induced sertoli cells apoptosis via inhibin B hypermethylation in mice. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 241:113760. [PMID: 35709672 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM2.5) disrupts endocrine functions and may negatively affect sperm quality and quantity in males; however, the long-term effects and potential mechanisms of this effect are unknown. This study aimed to investigate the epigenetic mechanism of maternal exposure to PM2.5-induced inhibin B hypermethylation in male offspring. In this experiment design, pregnant C57BL/6 mice were treated with two doses of PM2.5 (4.8 and 43.2 mg/kg bw). The membrane control group was given a sampling membrane and the control group received nothing. Following the formation of the vaginal plug, intratracheal instillation of PM2.5 was administered every three days until delivery of the pups. To assess the effect of PM2.5 in vitro, TM4 cells, a Sertoli-like cell line, was treated with different concentrations (0, 25, 50, 100 μg/mL) of PM2.5 for 24 h. The results displayed that Sperm motility, as well as the number of adult offspring, was decreased in the PM2.5 exposed group relative to the untreated controls. Increased vacuolization was observed in the Sertoli cells of mice that were exposed to PM2.5 in utero. The levels of inhibin and testosterone were reduced and the levels of LH and FSH increased in the PM2.5 groups relative to the untreated controls. In vitro, PM2.5 resulted in cell cycle inhibition as well as increased apoptosis in TM4 cells. Moreover, PM2.5-induced inhibin B hypermethylation and activation of the p21/Cleaved Caspase-3 pathway resulted in TM4 cell apoptosis that was rescued through the use of a DNA methylation inhibitor. Together, our data suggest that prenatal exposure to PM2.5 results in inhibin B hypermethylation and can activate the p21/Cleaved Caspase-3 pathway, resulting in Sertoli cell apoptosis, aberrant secretion of androgen binding protein, and decreased testosterone, thus resulting in the inhibition of spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianhui Liu
- Central Laboratory, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing 100026, China
| | - Jing Huang
- School of Nursing, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Leqiang Gao
- Department of Toxicology and Hygienic Chemistry, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Yujian Sang
- Department of Toxicology and Hygienic Chemistry, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Xiangyang Li
- Department of Toxicology and Hygienic Chemistry, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Guiqing Zhou
- Department of Toxicology and Hygienic Chemistry, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Linlin Cao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, China; National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology (Peking University Third Hospital), China
| | - Hong Lu
- School of Nursing, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xianqing Zhou
- Department of Toxicology and Hygienic Chemistry, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China.
| | - Lihua Ren
- School of Nursing, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China.
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3
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Wen X, Liu HX, Chen LZ, Qu W, Yan HY, Hou LF, Zhao WH, Feng YT, Ping J. Asthma susceptibility in prenatal nicotine-exposed mice attributed to β-catenin increase during CD4 + T cell development. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 238:113572. [PMID: 35533447 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Cigarette smoke is a common global environmental pollutant. Asthma, the most frequent allergic airway disease, is related to maternal exposure to cigarette smoke. Our previous studies demonstrated that prenatal exposure to nicotine (PNE), the major active product of smoking, impairs fetal thymopoiesis and CD4+ T cell development after birth. This study aimed to investigate whether PNE contributes to asthma susceptibility through CD4+ T cell development alterations. First, A PNE model was established by administering 3 mg/kg/day nicotine to maternal mice, and then an ovalbumin-induced asthma model was established in the offspring. Further, β-catenin and downstream pathways were inhibited in vitro to confirm the molecular mechanisms underlying the phenotype observed during the in vivo phase. The results showed that PNE induced Th2 and Th17 biases at developmental checkpoints and aggravated asthma symptoms in the offspring. In fetuses, PNE up-regulated α7 nAChR, activated PI3K-AKT, promoted β-catenin level increase, and established potential Th2- and Th17-biased gene expression patterns during thymopoiesis, which persisted after birth. Similar results were also observed in 1 μM nicotine-treated thymocytes in vitro. Moreover, inhibiting PI3K-AKT by LY294002 abrogated nicotine-mediated β-catenin level increase and thymopoiesis abnormalities, and an α7 nAChR antagonist (α-btx) also reversed nicotine-induced PI3K-AKT activation. Our findings provide strong evidence that PNE is a risk factor for T cell deviation and postnatal asthma, and revealed that nicotine-induced β-catenin level increase induces thymopoiesis abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Wen
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Han-Xiao Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Lan-Zhou Chen
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Biomass-Resources Chemistry and Environmental Biotechnology, Wuhan University School of Resource and Environmental Sciences, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Wen Qu
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Hui-Yi Yan
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Li-Fang Hou
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Wen-Hao Zhao
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Yi-Ting Feng
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Jie Ping
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China.
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4
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Phytomedicinal therapeutics for male infertility: critical insights and scientific updates. J Nat Med 2022; 76:546-573. [PMID: 35377028 DOI: 10.1007/s11418-022-01619-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Infertility is a significant cause of anxiety, depression, and social stigma among couples and families. In such cases, male reproductive factors contribute widely to the extent of 20-70%. Male infertility is a multifactorial disease with several complications contributing to its diagnosis. Although its management encompasses both modern and traditional medicine arenas, the first line of treatment, adopted by most males, focuses on the reasonably successful medicinal plant-based conventional therapies. Phyto-therapeutics, which relies on active ingredients from traditionally known herbs, influences sexual behavior and male fertility factors. The potency of these phyto-actives depends on their preparation methods and forms of consumption, including decoctions, extracts, semi-purified compounds, etc., as inferred from in vitro and in vivo (laboratory animal models and human) studies. The mechanisms of action therein involve the testosterone pathway for stimulation of spermatogenesis, reduction of oxidative stress, inhibition of inflammation, activation of signaling pathways in the testes [extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK)/protein kinase B(PKB)/transformation of growth factor-beta 1(TGF-β1)/nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells NF-kB signaling pathways] and mediation of sexual behavior. This review critically focuses on the medicinal plants and their potent actives, along with the biochemical and molecular mechanisms that modulate vital pathways associated with the successful management of male infertility. Such intrinsic knowledge will significantly further studies on medicinal plants that improve male reproductive health.
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Francisco CM, Fischer LW, Vendramini V, de Oliva SU, Paccola CC, Miraglia SM. Resveratrol reverses male reproductive damage in rats exposed to nicotine during the intrauterine phase and breastfeeding. Andrology 2022; 10:951-972. [PMID: 35472028 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nicotine leads to reproductive changes culminating in male infertility and subfertility. Resveratrol, a polyphenol, is a biological modulator. Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) protein can positively act on male reproduction, and its expression can be affected by nicotine and modulated by resveratrol. OBJECTIVES The capability of resveratrol to reverse the reproductive damage in adult male offspring, which was nicotine-exposed during the intrauterine phase and breastfeeding, was investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS Four groups were established with male offspring born from nicotine-exposed and non-exposed rat dams during pregnancy and lactation. Forty-eight male Wistar rats were distributed into four groups: sham control (SC), resveratrol (R), nicotine (N), and nicotine + resveratrol (NR). Rat dams of the N and NR offspring were exposed to nicotine (2 mg/kg/day) during pregnancy and lactation using a subcutaneously implanted minipump. The offspring of the R and NR groups received resveratrol (300 mg/kg of body weight, gavage) for 63 days from puberty. At 114 days of age, the male rats were euthanized. RESULTS Nicotine did not alter the body weight, biometry of reproductive organs, or quantitative sperm parameters of adult offspring but caused an evident worsening of all sperm qualitative parameters studied. Daily treatment with resveratrol from puberty up to adulthood improved all qualitative sperm parameters significantly, leading some of them close to the control values. Resveratrol also improved the morphological integrity and expression of SIRT1 in the seminiferous epithelium of nicotine-exposed offspring. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION Resveratrol reversed the male reproductive damage caused by nicotine. Nicotine crosses the blood-placental membrane and is present in the breast milk of mothers who smoke. Resveratrol restored the altered reproductive parameters in the male adult offspring that were nicotine-exposed during intrauterine life and breastfeeding. The epigenetic modulating action of resveratrol can be involved in this nicotine damage reversion. Resveratrol may be a promising candidate to be investigated regarding the adjuvant strategies in the treatment of male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Vanessa Vendramini
- Department of Morphology and Genetics, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Samara Urban de Oliva
- Department of Morphology and Genetics, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Camila Cicconi Paccola
- Department of Morphology and Genetics, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sandra Maria Miraglia
- Department of Morphology and Genetics, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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6
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Paccola CC, Souza GS, Freitas IMM, Souza JC, Martins LL, Vendramini V, Miraglia SM. Does maternal exposure to nicotine affect the oocyte quality and reproductive capacity in adult offspring? Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2021; 426:115638. [PMID: 34242569 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2021.115638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Revised: 06/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Gonadal development begins in the intrauterine phase and females from most species are born with an established oocyte reserve. Exposure to drugs during gestation can compromise the offspring health, also affecting the gametes quality. Nicotine, the main component of cigarettes, is an oxidant agent capable of altering the fertility in men and women. As female gametes are susceptible to oxidative stress, this drug can damage the oolemma and affect oocyte maturation, induce errors during chromosomal segregation and DNA fragmentation. Oocyte mitochondria are particularly susceptible to injuries, contributing to the oocyte quality loss and embryonic development disruption. Thus, considering the high number of women who smoke during pregnancy, while significant events are occurring in the embryo for future fertility of offspring, we seek to verify the quality of the oocytes from adult rats exposed to nicotine during intrauterine phase and breastfeeding. Pregnant Wistar rats received nicotine by osmotic mini-pumps and the female progenies were evaluated in adulthood for oocyte quality (viability, lipid peroxidation, generation of reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial integrity) and reproductive capacity. Embryos (3dpc) and fetuses (20dpc) generated by these rats were also evaluated. The results showed that the dose of 2 mg/kg/day of nicotine through placenta and breast milk does not affect the number of oocytes and the fertility capacity of adult rats. However, it causes some morphological alterations in oocytes, mitochondrial changes, embryonic fragmentation and disruption of fetal development. The malformations in fetuses generated from these gametes can also indicate the occurrence of epigenetic modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- C C Paccola
- Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Morphology and Genetics, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
| | - G S Souza
- Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Morphology and Genetics, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - I M M Freitas
- Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Morphology and Genetics, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - J C Souza
- Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Morphology and Genetics, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - L L Martins
- Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Morphology and Genetics, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - V Vendramini
- Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Morphology and Genetics, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - S M Miraglia
- Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Morphology and Genetics, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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7
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Oliva SU, Andretta RR, Simas JN, Tesser RB, Paccola CC, Miraglia SM. Thyroid hormones, Sertoli cell proliferation and differentiation in progenies from carbamazepine-treated rat dams during pregnancy and lactation. Andrologia 2021; 53:e13969. [PMID: 33433934 DOI: 10.1111/and.13969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Carbamazepine (CBZ) is used in the control of seizure and affective disorders, causing hypothyroidism. Thyroid hormones regulate the Sertoli cell proliferation and differentiation. Clinical aspects must be considered since epileptic fertile women need to continuously use CBZ during pregnancy and lactation. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of CBZ on testis development of rat offspring from dams treated during pregnancy/lactation. Rat dams received CBZ (20 mg kg-1 day-1 ) or vehicle by intra-peritoneal route during gestation and lactation. Progenies were euthanised at 4, 14, 41, 63 and 93-days post-partum (dpp) for the evaluation of T3, T4 and TSH plasma total levels. Testicular cross sections were submitted to anti-Ki67, anti-PCNA, anti-p27kip1 and anti-transferrin immunolabelling for the evaluation of Sertoli cells. There was a significant reduction in p27kip1 -positive Sertoli cell numerical densities and an increase in TSH level at 14 dpp. CBZ exposure affected the volume density of transferrin-positive immunolabelling at 63 dpp. These results suggest that CBZ may cause a dysregulation of the controller system of thyroid hormones homeostasis leading to an increase in the proliferation rate at the neonatal phase and a differentiation delay of the Sertoli cell, culminating in an altered function at late puberty. The occurrence of hypothyroidism cannot be completely discarded.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samara U Oliva
- Department of Morphology and Genetics, Developmental Biology Laboratory, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rhaiza R Andretta
- Department of Morphology and Genetics, Developmental Biology Laboratory, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Joana N Simas
- Department of Morphology and Genetics, Developmental Biology Laboratory, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Camila C Paccola
- Department of Morphology and Genetics, Developmental Biology Laboratory, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sandra M Miraglia
- Department of Morphology and Genetics, Developmental Biology Laboratory, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
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8
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Al-Sawalha NA, Pokkunuri ID, Alzoubi KH, Khabour OF, Almomani BN. Waterpipe Tobacco Smoke Exposure during Lactation-Susceptibility of Reproductive Hormones and Oxidative Stress Parameters in Male Progeny Rats. Reprod Sci 2021; 28:37-42. [PMID: 32748221 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-020-00282-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
There is a growing evidence for the public health hazards associated with waterpipe tobacco smoking (WTS). While the adverse effects of WTS exposure during pregnancy on the offspring are widely reported, its impact during breastfeeding remains less understood. The effects of WTS exposure during lactation on the reproductive hormones and oxidative stress biomarkers of adult male progeny were examined. Lactating rats received either fresh air (controls) or mainstream WTS for 1 h twice/day from day 4 to day 21 of lactation. The offspring was then followed up until week 20. The data indicated that WTS exposure in the lactating animals reduced the levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin (P < 0.05), luteinizing hormone (LH) (P = 0.1146), and estradiol (P = 0.0773) in the blood in male progeny. While the activities of testicular superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and blood levels of testosterone (P >0.05) remained unaltered, the activity of catalase increased significantly indicating an increased oxidant load in the WTS exposed rats compared to the controls. WTS exposure during lactation impairs male reproductive hormonal profile, augments oxidative damage, and potentially affects male fertility in male offspring rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nour A Al-Sawalha
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 3030, Irbid, 22110, Jordan.
| | | | - Karem H Alzoubi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 3030, Irbid, 22110, Jordan
| | - Omar F Khabour
- Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Bashar N Almomani
- Ministry of Health, National Institute of Forensic Medicine, Amman, Jordan
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9
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Fetal and Postnatal Nicotine Exposure Modifies Maturation of Gonocytes to Spermatogonia in Mice. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 2020:8892217. [PMID: 33381390 PMCID: PMC7758125 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8892217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Studies in laboratory animals have shown that male offspring from dams, exposed to nicotine during pregnancy and postnatal periods, show alterations in fertility, although the origin of this is still uncertain. In this study, we examined in a mouse model if the process of gonocyte maturation to spermatogonia was affected in male offspring from dams with nicotine administration during pregnancy and postnatal periods. BALB/C mice, with and without nicotine administrations in pregnancy and postnatal periods, were studied. The animals were euthanized at 3, 7, 10, 16, and 35 days postpartum (dpp). Testicular tissue samples were processed for histological, ultrastructural, and immunohistochemical studies; and testicular lipoperoxidation was determined. It was observed that in the nicotine-exposed animals, there was increased apoptosis and a reduction in the number of gonocytes that matured to spermatogonia. This gonocyte-spermatogonia maturation reduction was associated with a greater immunoreactivity to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the germ cells. Lipoperoxidation was similar in both groups until 16 dpp, with significant reduction at 35 dpp. Our findings suggest that nicotine intake during pregnancy and postnatal periods can affect the process of maturation of gonocytes to spermatogonia and the pool of available spermatogonia for spermatogenesis.
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10
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Marinucci L, Balloni S, Bellucci C, Lilli C, Stabile AM, Calvitti M, Aglietti MC, Gambelunghe A, Muzi G, Rende M, Luca G, Mancuso F, Arato I. Effects of nicotine on porcine pre-pupertal sertoli cells: An in vitro study. Toxicol In Vitro 2020; 67:104882. [PMID: 32423882 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2020.104882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Smoke components, such as nicotine and its major metabolites, cross the blood-testis barrier and are detectable in the seminal plasma of both active smokers and individuals exposed to cigarette smoke. In vivo studies in a rat model have further demonstrated that nicotine exposure reduces the weight of the testis, as well as the number of spermatocytes and spermatids, and affects the ultrastructure of Sertoli cells (SC) - which serve as sentinels of spermatogenesis - causing intense germ cell sloughing in the tubular lumen that compromises offspring fertility. This study sought to determine the effects of nicotine on the viability and function of purified pig pre-pubertal SC. Nicotine exposure reduced the mRNA expression and protein levels of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) and inhibin B and impaired FSH-r sensitivity via the downregulation of FSH-r and aromatase gene expression compared to untreated SC. Overall, our study suggests that nicotine can significantly alter extracellular matrix and tight junction protein gene expression (e.g., laminin, integrin, and occludin), thus compromising cross-talk between the interstitial and tubular compartments and enhancing blood-testis barrier (BTB) permeability via downregulation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. These findings further elucidate a potential mechanism of action underlying nicotine exposure's detrimental effects on SC function in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorella Marinucci
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia 06132, Italy.
| | - Stefania Balloni
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia 06132, Italy
| | - Catia Bellucci
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia 06132, Italy
| | - Cinzia Lilli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia 06132, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Stabile
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Unit of Human, Clinical and Forensic Anatomy, University of Perugia, Perugia 06132, Italy
| | - Mario Calvitti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia 06132, Italy
| | | | - Angela Gambelunghe
- Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia 06132, Italy; Department of Medicine, Section of Occupational Medicine, Respiratory Diseases and Toxicology, University of Perugia, Perugia 06132, Italy
| | - Giacomo Muzi
- Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia 06132, Italy; Department of Medicine, Section of Occupational Medicine, Respiratory Diseases and Toxicology, University of Perugia, Perugia 06132, Italy
| | - Mario Rende
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Unit of Human, Clinical and Forensic Anatomy, University of Perugia, Perugia 06132, Italy
| | - Giovanni Luca
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia 06132, Italy; Division of Medical Andrology and Endocrinology of Reproduction, Saint Mary Hospital, Terni 05100, Italy
| | - Francesca Mancuso
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia 06132, Italy
| | - Iva Arato
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia 06132, Italy
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11
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Vaz ADC, Paccola CC, Mendes TB, Cabral REL, Simas JN, Vendramini V, Miraglia SM. Sertoli Cell Alterations in Peripubertal Varicocelized Rats: Evidence of Primary Damage on Spermatogenesis. J Histochem Cytochem 2020; 68:185-198. [PMID: 31984829 DOI: 10.1369/0022155420902547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic varicocele is closely associated with male infertility or subfertility. Sertoli cell is a very important regulator of spermatogenesis. We investigated the morphofunctional alterations in the Sertoli cell and its possible involvement in the establishment of testicular primary lesion in experimental left-sided varicocele, induced from peripuberty. Twenty-five male peripubertal rats (44 days postpartum [dpp]) were distributed into two groups: control (C) and varicocele (V). Experimental left varicocele was induced in rats through the partial ligature of the left renal vein. Euthanasia was performed at 100 dpp. Testicular histopathology and testosterone plasmatic level were evaluated. Transferrin and vimentin proteins were, respectively, used as immunomarkers of Sertoli cell function and structure. Significant reductions in vimentin and transferrin expressions were noticed in androgen-dependent stages (VII and VIII) of the seminiferous epithelium cycle in V rats; testosterone plasmatic level was also reduced. Bilateral testicular histopathological alterations were found in V rats, mainly massive germ cell desquamation. The histological damage and changes in protein expressions occurred bilaterally. The relevant impairment of the functional and structural characteristics of the Sertoli cell, together with the typical massive germ cell desquamation, indicates that Sertoli cell changes can primarily contribute to the significant testicular dysfunction associated with varicocele.
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Affiliation(s)
- André da Costa Vaz
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Department of Morphology and Genetics, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Camila Cicconi Paccola
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Department of Morphology and Genetics, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Talita Biude Mendes
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Department of Morphology and Genetics, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Joana Noguères Simas
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Department of Morphology and Genetics, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Vendramini
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Department of Morphology and Genetics, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sandra Maria Miraglia
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Department of Morphology and Genetics, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Zhang Q, Pei LG, Liu M, Lv F, Chen G, Wang H. Reduced testicular steroidogenesis in rat offspring by prenatal nicotine exposure: Epigenetic programming and heritability via nAChR/HDAC4. Food Chem Toxicol 2019; 135:111057. [PMID: 31846720 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2019.111057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Revised: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Prenatal nicotine exposure (PNE) may lead to offspring's testicular dysplasia. Here, we confirmed the intergenerational effect of PNE on testosterone synthetic function and explored its epigenetic programming mechanism. Pregnant Wistar rats were injected subcutaneously with nicotine (2 mg/kg.d) from gestational day 9-20. Some dams were anesthetized to obtain fetal rats, the rest were allowed to spontaneous labor to generate F1 and F2 generation. In utero, PNE impaired testicular development and testosterone production. Meanwhile, the expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) were decreased both in F1 and F2 generations. Furthermore, PNE enhanced the expression of fetal testicular nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) and histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4), while obviously weakened histone 3 lysine 9 acetylation (H3K9ac) level of StAR/3β-HSD promoter from GD20 to postnatal week 12 and even in F2 generation. In vitro, nicotine increased nAChRs and HDAC4 expression, and decreased the StAR/3β-HSD H3K9ac level and expression, as well as the testosterone production in Leydig cells. Antagonism of nAChRs and inhibition of HDAC4 reversed the aforementioned changes. In conclusion, PNE programmed testicular low steroidogenesis and its heritability in male offspring rats. The underlying mechanism was associated to the low-level programming of StAR/3β-HSD H3K9ac via nAChR/HDAC4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Lin-Guo Pei
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China; Basic Medical College of Nanyang Medical University, Nanyang, 473041, China
| | - Min Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Feng Lv
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Guanghui Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, 430071, China.
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13
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Al‐Sawalha NA, Almahmmod YM, Alzoubi KH, Khabour OF, Alyacoub WN. Influence of prenatal waterpipe tobacco smoke exposure on reproductive hormones and oxidative stress of adult male offspring rats. Andrologia 2019; 51:e13318. [DOI: 10.1111/and.13318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Revised: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Nour A. Al‐Sawalha
- Faculty of Pharmacy Jordan University of Science and Technology Irbid Jordan
| | - Yehya M. Almahmmod
- Faculty of Pharmacy Jordan University of Science and Technology Irbid Jordan
| | - Karem H. Alzoubi
- Faculty of Pharmacy Jordan University of Science and Technology Irbid Jordan
| | - Omar F. Khabour
- Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences Jordan University of Science and Technology Irbid Jordan
| | - Weam N. Alyacoub
- Faculty of Pharmacy Jordan University of Science and Technology Irbid Jordan
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14
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Wang M, Su P. The role of the Fas/FasL signaling pathway in environmental toxicant-induced testicular cell apoptosis: An update. Syst Biol Reprod Med 2018; 64:93-102. [DOI: 10.1080/19396368.2017.1422046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Mei Wang
- Family Planning Research Institute of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Ping Su
- Family Planning Research Institute of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hubei, P.R. China
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15
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He L, You S, Gong H, Zhang J, Wang L, Zhang C, Huang Y, Zhong C, Zou Y. Cigarette smoke induces rat testicular injury via mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. Mol Reprod Dev 2017; 84:1053-1065. [PMID: 28700107 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2016] [Accepted: 05/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lijuan He
- Department of Social Medicine, School of Public Health; Xinjiang Medical University; Urumqi Xinjiang P.R. China
| | - Shuping You
- Department of Basic Nursing Teaching and Research Section, School of Nursing; Xinjiang Medical University; Urumqi Xinjiang P.R. China
| | - Haiyan Gong
- Department of Clinical Laboratory; Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University,; Urumqi Xinjiang P.R. China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Hygiene Toxicology, School of Public Health; Xinjiang Medical University; Urumqi Xinjiang P.R. China
| | - Li Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Xinjiang Metabolic Disease; First Affiliated Hospitalof Xinjiang Medical University; Urumqi Xinjiang P.R. China
| | - Chen Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory; Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University,; Urumqi Xinjiang P.R. China
| | - Yunfei Huang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory; Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University,; Urumqi Xinjiang P.R. China
| | - Chunxue Zhong
- Department of Hygiene Toxicology, School of Public Health; Xinjiang Medical University; Urumqi Xinjiang P.R. China
| | - Ying Zou
- Department of Clinical Laboratory; Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University,; Urumqi Xinjiang P.R. China
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Miranda-Spooner M, Paccola CC, Neves FMO, de Oliva SU, Miraglia S. Late reproductive analysis in rat male offspring exposed to nicotine during pregnancy and lactation. Andrology 2016; 4:218-31. [DOI: 10.1111/andr.12100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2014] [Revised: 07/20/2015] [Accepted: 07/31/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. Miranda-Spooner
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology; Department of Morphology and Genetics; Federal University of Sao Paulo - UNIFESP; Sao Paulo Brazil
| | - C. C. Paccola
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology; Department of Morphology and Genetics; Federal University of Sao Paulo - UNIFESP; Sao Paulo Brazil
| | - F. M. O. Neves
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology; Department of Morphology and Genetics; Federal University of Sao Paulo - UNIFESP; Sao Paulo Brazil
| | - S. U. de Oliva
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology; Department of Morphology and Genetics; Federal University of Sao Paulo - UNIFESP; Sao Paulo Brazil
| | - S. M. Miraglia
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology; Department of Morphology and Genetics; Federal University of Sao Paulo - UNIFESP; Sao Paulo Brazil
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M. Carballosa C, M. Greenberg J, S. Cheung H. Expression and function of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in stem cells. AIMS BIOENGINEERING 2016. [DOI: 10.3934/bioeng.2016.3.245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
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