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Wang L, Ye X, Liu J. Effects of pharmaceutical and personal care products on pubertal development: Evidence from human and animal studies. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 346:123533. [PMID: 38341062 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) include a wide range of drugs, personal care products and household chemicals that are produced and used in significant quantities. The safety of PPCPs has become a growing concern in recent decades due to their ubiquitous presence in the environment and potential risks to human health. PPCPs have been detected in various human biological samples, including those from children and adolescents, at concentrations ranging from several ng/L to several thousand μg/L. Epidemiological studies have shown associations between exposure to PPCPs and changes in the timing of puberty in children and adolescents. Animal studies have shown that exposure to PPCPs results in advanced or delayed pubertal onset. Mechanisms by which PPCPs regulate pubertal development include alteration of the hypothalamic kisspeptin and GnRH networks, disruption of steroid hormones, and modulation of metabolic function and epigenetics. Gaps in knowledge and further research needs include the assessment of environmental exposure to pharmaceuticals in children and adolescents, low-dose and long-term effects of exposure to PPCPs, and the modes of action of PPCPs on pubertal development. In summary, this comprehensive review examines the potential effects of exposure to PPCPs on pubertal development based on evidence from human and animal studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linping Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecosystem Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xiaoqing Ye
- School of Medical Technology and Information Engineering, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Jing Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecosystem Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
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Philibert P, Déjardin S, Girard M, Durix Q, Gonzalez AA, Mialhe X, Tardat M, Poulat F, Boizet-Bonhoure B. Cocktails of NSAIDs and 17α Ethinylestradiol at Environmentally Relevant Doses in Drinking Water Alter Puberty Onset in Mice Intergenerationally. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065890. [PMID: 36982971 PMCID: PMC10099742 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065890] [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: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and 17α-ethinyl-estradiol (EE2) are among the most relevant endocrine-disrupting pharmaceuticals found in the environment, particularly in surface and drinking water due to their incomplete removal via wastewater treatment plants. Exposure of pregnant mice to NSAID therapeutic doses during the sex determination period has a negative impact on gonadal development and fertility in adults; however, the effects of their chronic exposure at lower doses are unknown. In this study, we investigated the impact of chronic exposure to a mixture containing ibuprofen, 2hydroxy-ibuprofen, diclofenac, and EE2 at two environmentally relevant doses (added to the drinking water from fetal life until puberty) on the reproductive tract in F1 exposed mice and their F2 offspring. In F1 animals, exposure delayed male puberty and accelerated female puberty. In post-pubertal F1 testes and ovaries, differentiation/maturation of the different gonad cell types was altered, and some of these modifications were observed also in the non-exposed F2 generation. Transcriptomic analysis of post-pubertal testes and ovaries of F1 (exposed) and F2 animals revealed significant changes in gene expression profiles and enriched pathways, particularly the inflammasome, metabolism and extracellular matrix pathways, compared with controls (non-exposed). This suggested that exposure to these drug cocktails has an intergenerational impact. The identified Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) networks for NSAIDs and EE2, at doses that are relevant to everyday human exposure, will improve the AOP network of the human reproductive system development concerning endocrine disruptor chemicals. It may serve to identify other putative endocrine disruptors for mammalian species based on the expression of biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Philibert
- Développement et Pathologie de la Gonade, Institut de Génétique Humaine, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université de Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France
- Laboratoire de Biochimie et Biologie Moléculaire, Hôpital Carèmeau, CHU de Nîmes, 30900 Nîmes, France
| | - Stéphanie Déjardin
- Développement et Pathologie de la Gonade, Institut de Génétique Humaine, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université de Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France
| | - Mélissa Girard
- Développement et Pathologie de la Gonade, Institut de Génétique Humaine, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université de Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France
| | - Quentin Durix
- IExplore-RAM, Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Montpellier and Institut National de la Santé Et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), 34090 Montpellier, France
| | - Anne-Alicia Gonzalez
- MGX-Montpellier GenomiX, UMS Biocampus, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34090 Montpellier, France
| | - Xavier Mialhe
- MGX-Montpellier GenomiX, UMS Biocampus, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34090 Montpellier, France
| | - Mathieu Tardat
- Biologie des Séquences Répétées, Institut de Génétique Humaine, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France
| | - Francis Poulat
- Développement et Pathologie de la Gonade, Institut de Génétique Humaine, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université de Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France
| | - Brigitte Boizet-Bonhoure
- Développement et Pathologie de la Gonade, Institut de Génétique Humaine, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université de Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France
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Chromatin modifiers: A new class of pollutants with potential epigenetic effects revealed by in vitro assays and transcriptomic analyses. Toxicology 2023; 484:153413. [PMID: 36581016 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2022.153413] [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: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
A great variety of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have been used extensively and become widespread in the environment nowadays. Limited mammalian studies have shown that certain EDCs may target chromosome and epigenome of the germline, leading to adverse effects in subsequent generations, despite these progenies having never been exposed to the EDC before. However, the underlying mechanisms of chromosomal changes induced by these pollutants remain poorly known. Using the human ovarian granulosa tumor cell line COV434 as a model, we investigated and compared the transcriptomic changes induced by nine EDCs with diverse chemical structures (i.e. BDE-47, BPA, BP-3, DEHP, DHP, EE2, TCS, TDCPP and NP), to inquire if there is any common epigenetic modification associated with reproductive functions induced by these EDCs. Our results showed that COV434 cells were more responsive to BP-3, NP, DEHP and EE2, and more importantly, these four EDCs altered the expression of gene clusters related to DNA damage response, cell cycle, proliferation, and chromatin remodeling, which can potentially lead to epigenetic modifications and transgenerational inheritance. Furthermore, dysregulation of similar gene clusters was common in DEHP and NP treatments. Bioinformatics analysis further revealed that BP-3 disturbed signaling pathways associated with reproductive functions, whereas alterations in telomere-related pathways were highlighted upon EE2 exposure. Overall, this study highlighted chromatin modifications caused by a class of chemicals which that may potentially lead to epigenetic changes and transgenerational reproductive impairments.
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Merrill AK, Conrad K, Marvin E, Sobolewski M. Effects of gestational low dose perfluorooctanoic acid on maternal and “anxiety-like” behavior in dams. FRONTIERS IN TOXICOLOGY 2022; 4:971970. [PMID: 36105436 PMCID: PMC9464925 DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2022.971970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy is a unique critical window with nearly ubiquitous exposure to low concentrations of endocrine disrupting chemicals, such as per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Human and animal research suggests that PFAS compounds disrupt hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function, with some evidence of altered “anxiety-like” behavior, but little is known about the potential effects on maternal mental health following exposures during pregnancy. Evaluating the consequences of gestational PFAS exposures on maternal health is essential, because approximately 1 in 10 women experience postpartum depression, often with increased anxiety. To address this gap, dams were exposed to a low dose, 0.1 mg/kg, of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) from gestational day 0 to birth. Maternal behavior was then observed from postnatal days 5–9, and “anxiety-like” behavior was measured using open field spontaneous locomotor behavior and elevated plus maze following weaning. No difference was observed in the litter size or sex of offspring. Gestational PFOA exposure altered maternal behavior. Despite similar nursing durations, PFOA dams spent more time nursing in a flat posture and on their side, and less time in kyphosis. Despite significantly quicker first contact, PFOA dams did not return pups to the nest quicker, indicating reduced retrieval latency. At weaning, dams displayed increased “anxiety-like” behaviors in the elevated plus maze with a significantly higher mean duration in the closed arms and reduced choice frequency with significantly lower number of entries in the closed and open arms. PFOA dams showed reductions in ambulatory movement across the session. Pregnancy exposure to PFOA altered both maternal and “anxiety-like” behavior in dams. Additional assays focused on depression-associated behaviors, such as forced swim, anhedonia, and social preference, will further delineate behavioral mechanisms. Further research on the effects of environmental contaminant exposures during pregnancy should investigate how co-exposures to other risk factors, such as stress, may enhance behavioral toxicity. Understanding how environmental contaminant exposure during pregnancy effects maternal depression-associated, and/or “anxiety-like” behavior is necessary for the public health protection of women.
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Integrated Genomic and Bioinformatics Approaches to Identify Molecular Links between Endocrine Disruptors and Adverse Outcomes. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19010574. [PMID: 35010832 PMCID: PMC8744944 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19010574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDC) has been linked with several adverse outcomes. In this review, we examine EDCs that are pervasive in the environment and are of concern in the context of human, animal, and environmental health. We explore the consequences of EDC exposure on aquatic life, terrestrial animals, and humans. We focus on the exploitation of genomics technologies and in particular whole transcriptome sequencing. Genome-wide analyses using RNAseq provides snap shots of cellular, tissue and whole organism transcriptomes under normal physiological and EDC perturbed conditions. A global view of gene expression provides highly valuable information as it uncovers gene families or more specifically, pathways that are affected by EDC exposures, but also reveals those that are unaffected. Hypotheses about genes with unknown functions can also be formed by comparison of their expression levels with genes of known function. Risk assessment strategies leveraging genomic technologies and the development of toxicology databases are explored. Finally, we review how the Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) has exploited this high throughput data to provide a framework for toxicology studies.
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Takesono A, Kudoh T, Tyler CR. Application of Transgenic Zebrafish Models for Studying the Effects of Estrogenic Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals on Embryonic Brain Development. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:718072. [PMID: 35264948 PMCID: PMC8900011 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.718072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are environmental pollutants that mimic hormones and/or disrupt their function. Estrogenic EDCs (eEDCs) interfere with endogenous estrogen signalling pathway(s) and laboratory animal and human epidemiological studies have provided evidence for a causal link between exposure to them during embryonic/early life and neurological impairments. However, our understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanism(s) underlying eEDCs exposure effects on brain development, tissue architecture and function and behaviour are limited. Transgenic (TG) zebrafish models offer new approach methodologies (NAMs) to help identify the modes of action (MoAs) of EDCs and their associated impacts on tissue development and function. Estrogen biosensor TG zebrafish models have been applied to study eEDC interactions and resulting transcriptional activation (via a fluorescent reporter expression) across the entire body of the developing zebrafish embryo, including in real time. These estrogen biosensor TG zebrafish models are starting to deepen our understanding of the spatiotemporal actions of eEDCs and their resulting impacts on neurological development, brain function and behaviour. In this review, we first investigate the links between early life exposure to eEDCs and neurodevelopmental alterations in model organisms (rodents and zebrafish) and humans. We then present examples of the application of estrogen biosensor and other TG zebrafish models for elucidating the mechanism(s) underlying neurodevelopmental toxicities of eEDCs. In particular we illustrate the utility of combining estrogen biosensor zebrafish models with other TG zebrafish models for understanding the effects of eEDCs on the brain, spanning cellular processes, brain circuitry, neurophysiology and behaviour. Finally, we discuss the future prospects of TG zebrafish models as experimental models for studying more complex scenarios for exposure to contaminant mixtures on neurological development and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aya Takesono
- *Correspondence: Aya Takesono, ; Charles R. Tyler,
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Takesono A, Schirrmacher P, Scott A, Green JM, Lee O, Winter MJ, Kudoh T, Tyler CR. Estrogens regulate early embryonic development of the olfactory sensory system via estrogen-responsive glia. Development 2022; 149:dev199860. [PMID: 35023540 PMCID: PMC8881738 DOI: 10.1242/dev.199860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Estrogens are well-known to regulate development of sexual dimorphism of the brain; however, their role in embryonic brain development prior to sex-differentiation is unclear. Using estrogen biosensor zebrafish models, we found that estrogen activity in the embryonic brain occurs from early neurogenesis specifically in a type of glia in the olfactory bulb (OB), which we name estrogen-responsive olfactory bulb (EROB) cells. In response to estrogen, EROB cells overlay the outermost layer of the OB and interact tightly with olfactory sensory neurons at the olfactory glomeruli. Inhibiting estrogen activity using an estrogen receptor antagonist, ICI182,780 (ICI), and/or EROB cell ablation impedes olfactory glomerular development, including the topological organisation of olfactory glomeruli and inhibitory synaptogenesis in the OB. Furthermore, activation of estrogen signalling inhibits both intrinsic and olfaction-dependent neuronal activity in the OB, whereas ICI or EROB cell ablation results in the opposite effect on neuronal excitability. Altering the estrogen signalling disrupts olfaction-mediated behaviour in later larval stage. We propose that estrogens act on glia to regulate development of OB circuits, thereby modulating the local excitability in the OB and olfaction-mediated behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aya Takesono
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Paula Schirrmacher
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QD, UK
- Department of Biological and Marine Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Hull, Hull HU6 7RX, UK
| | - Aaron Scott
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QD, UK
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology & Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Jon M Green
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Okhyun Lee
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Matthew J Winter
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Tetsuhiro Kudoh
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Charles R Tyler
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QD, UK
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8
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Chen X, Cheng SH, Kinoshita M, de Witte PA, Liu J, Hinton D, Braunbeck T, Cotgreave I, Schlenk D, Gong Z, El-Nezami H, Ho KC, Chan KF, Xu S, Yiu PY, Zhang H, Wu D, Chan YS, Ny A, Maes J. Pre-validation of choriogenin H transgenic medaka eleutheroembryos as a quantitative estrogenic activity test method. Anal Biochem 2021; 629:114311. [PMID: 34302800 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2021.114311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The choriogenin H - EGFP transgenic medaka (Oryzias melastigma) has been used to test estrogenic substances and quantify estrogenic activity into 17β-estradiol (E2) equivalency (EEQ). The method uses 8 eleutheroembryos in 2 ml solution per well and 3 wells per treatment in 24-well plates at 26 ± 1 °C for 24 ± 2 h, with subsequent measurements of induced GFP signal intensity. EEQ measurements are calculated using a E2 probit regression model with a coefficient of determination (R2) > 0.90. The selectivity was confirmed evaluating 27 known estrogenic and 5 known non-estrogenic compounds. Limit of quantitation (LOQ), recovery rate and bias were calculated to be 1 ng/ml EEQ, 104% and 4% respectively. Robustness analysis revealed exposure temperature is a sensitive parameter that should be kept at 26 ± 1 °C. The repeatability of intra- and inter-laboratories achieved CV < 30% for most tested food and cosmetics samples. The lot-lot stability was confirmed by the stable EEQ qualitative control (QC, 1 ng/mL E2) and calibration curve results. The stability of standard reagents, samples and sample extracts was also investigated. These data demonstrated this method to be an accurate indicator of estrogenic activity for both chemicals and extracts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueping Chen
- Vitargent (International) Biotechnology Limited, Unit 516, Biotech Centre 2, 11 Science Park West Avenue, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China.
| | - Shuk Han Cheng
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Science, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China.
| | - Masato Kinoshita
- Division of Applied Bioscience, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
| | - Peter A de Witte
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Leuven, O & N II Herestraat 49-Box 824, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Jianjun Liu
- Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Shenzhen, Medical Key Laboratory of Health Toxicology, Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Shenzhen Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, 518060, China.
| | - David Hinton
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, A333a LSRC, Durham, NC, 27708, United States.
| | - Thomas Braunbeck
- Aquatic Ecology and Toxicology, Center for Organismal Studies, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 504, D-69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Ian Cotgreave
- RISE, Research Institutes of Sweden, Unit of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Safety, Division of Bioeconomy and Health, S-15134, Södertälje, Sweden.
| | - Daniel Schlenk
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of California, Riverside, CA, 92521, United States.
| | - Zhiyuan Gong
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Hani El-Nezami
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China.
| | - Kin Chung Ho
- College of Marine Ecology and Environment, Shanghai Ocean University, China.
| | - Kwok Fai Chan
- Vitargent (International) Biotechnology Limited, Unit 516, Biotech Centre 2, 11 Science Park West Avenue, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China.
| | - Shisan Xu
- Vitargent (International) Biotechnology Limited, Unit 516, Biotech Centre 2, 11 Science Park West Avenue, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China.
| | - Pui Ying Yiu
- Vitargent (International) Biotechnology Limited, Unit 516, Biotech Centre 2, 11 Science Park West Avenue, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China.
| | - Huan Zhang
- Vitargent (International) Biotechnology Limited, Unit 516, Biotech Centre 2, 11 Science Park West Avenue, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China.
| | - Desheng Wu
- Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Shenzhen, Medical Key Laboratory of Health Toxicology, Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Shenzhen Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, 518060, China.
| | - Yu Suen Chan
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Science, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China.
| | - Annelii Ny
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Leuven, O & N II Herestraat 49-Box 824, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Jan Maes
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Leuven, O & N II Herestraat 49-Box 824, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
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Zaccaroni M, Massolo A, Beani L, Seta DD, Farabollini F, Giannelli G, Fusani L, Dessì-Fulgheri F. Developmental exposure to low levels of ethinylestradiol affects social play in juvenile male rats. Toxicol Res 2020; 36:301-310. [PMID: 33005589 DOI: 10.1007/s43188-019-00035-z] [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: 08/26/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Juvenile social play contributes to the development of adult social and emotional skills in humans and non-human animals and is therefore a useful endpoint to study the effects of endocrine disrupters on behavior in animal models. Ethinylestradiol (EE2), a widely produced, powerful synthetic estrogen is widespread in the environment mainly because it is a component of the contraceptive pill. To understand whether clinical or environmental exposure to EE2 during critical perinatal periods can affect male social play, we exposed 72 male Sprague-Dawley rats to EE2 or vehicle either during gestation (from gestation day (GD) 5 through 20) or during lactation (from postnatal day (PND) 1 through 21). Two doses of EE2 were used to treat the dams: a lower dose in the range of possible environmental exposure (4 ng/kg/day) and a higher dose similar to that received during contraceptive treatment (400 ng/kg/day). Social play was observed between PND 40 and 45. A principal component analysis (PCA) of frequencies of behavioral items observed during play sessions allowed to allocate behaviors to the two main components that we named aggressive-like play and defensive-like play. Aggressive-like play was increased by gestational and decreased by lactational exposure. Defensive-like play was decreased by treatment. For both types of play the lower dose (4 ng/kg/day) was as effective as the higher one. Total social activity was increased by gestational and decreased by lactational exposure. These findings provide further evidence that exposure to low and to very low doses of EE2 during critical periods of development can affect essential aspects of social behavior, and that the timing of exposure is critical to understand its developmental action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Zaccaroni
- Department di Biology, University of Firenze, Florence, Italy
| | - Alessandro Massolo
- Ethology Unit, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy and Laboratoire Chrono-environnement, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
| | - Laura Beani
- Department di Biology, University of Firenze, Florence, Italy
| | - Daniele Della Seta
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | | | | | - Leonida Fusani
- Department of Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, and Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
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Saaristo M, Johnstone CP, Xu K, Allinson M, Wong BBM. The endocrine disruptor, 17α-ethinyl estradiol, alters male mate choice in a freshwater fish. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2019; 208:118-125. [PMID: 30658282 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2019.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Among the handful of studies on the behavioural effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), only a few have set out to disentangle the mechanisms underpinning behavioural changes. In fish, previous studies have shown that both visual and chemical cues play an important role in mate choice. As such, contaminant-induced changes in either transmission or perception of mate choice cues could have direct implications for individual's fitness. One widespread contaminant of environmental concern is 17α-ethinyl estradiol (EE2), a synthetic estrogen used in the contraceptive pill. Here, we investigated the impacts of EE2 exposure (28 days; measured concentration 14 ng/L) on visual and chemical communication in wild guppies (Poecilia reticulata). Using a standard dichotomous mate choice assay, we first gave individual males (either control or EE2-exposed) the opportunity to court two size-matched females (one control and one EE2-exposed) using only visual cues. We then introduced chemical cues of females (control and EE2-exposed) to the trial tank. We found that there was no significant effect of EE2-treatment on total time males spent associating with the females, when given only visual cues. There was, however, a significant effect on male courtship behaviour, with both control and EE2-exposed males spending more time performing 'sigmoid' displays towards the visual cues of control females compared to EE2-exposed females. When males were presented with both visual and chemical female cues simultaneously, we found that males spent more time courting control females that were paired with EE2-chemical cues. Not only does our study uncover a previously unknown behavioural impact of EE2-exposure on chemical cues, but demonstrates that EE2-exposure can exert complex effects on visual and chemical communication in a mate choice context. Finally, we contribute to the discussion of intraspecific variability by providing data on the potential trade-offs underpinning contaminant-induced behavioural changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minna Saaristo
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Australia.
| | | | - Kun Xu
- Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Mayumi Allinson
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Bob B M Wong
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
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11
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Catanese MC, Vandenberg LN. Developmental estrogen exposures and disruptions to maternal behavior and brain: Effects of ethinyl estradiol, a common positive control. Horm Behav 2018; 101:113-124. [PMID: 29107581 PMCID: PMC5938171 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2017.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2017] [Revised: 09/28/2017] [Accepted: 10/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Due of its structural similarity to the endogenous estrogen 17β-estradiol (E2), the synthetic estrogen 17α-ethinyl estradiol (EE2) is widely used to study the effects of estrogenic substances on sensitive organs at multiple stages of development. Here, we investigated the effects of EE2 on maternal behavior and the maternal brain in females exposed during gestation and the perinatal period. We assessed several components of maternal behavior including nesting behavior and pup retrieval; characterized the expression of estrogen receptor (ER)α in the medial preoptic area (MPOA), a brain region critical for the display of maternal behavior; and measured expression of tyrosine hydroxylase, a marker for dopaminergic cells, in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), a brain region important in maternal motivation. We found that developmental exposure to EE2 induces subtle effects on several aspects of maternal behavior including time building the nest and time spent engaged in self-care. Developmental exposure to EE2 also altered ERα expression in the central MPOA during both early and late lactation and led to significantly reduced tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity in the VTA. Our results demonstrate both dose- and postpartum stage-related effects of developmental exposure to EE2 on behavior and brain that manifest later in adulthood, during the maternal period. These findings provide further evidence for effects of exposure to exogenous estrogenic compounds during the critical periods of fetal and perinatal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary C Catanese
- Program in Neuroscience and Behavior, University of Massachusetts - Amherst, USA
| | - Laura N Vandenberg
- Program in Neuroscience and Behavior, University of Massachusetts - Amherst, USA; Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts - Amherst, USA.
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Zaccaroni M, Massolo A, Della Seta D, Farabollini F, Giannelli G, Fusani L, Dessì-Fulgheri F. Developmental Exposure to Low Levels of Ethinylestradiol Affects Play Behavior in Juvenile Female Rats. Neurotox Res 2017; 33:876-886. [PMID: 29260494 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-017-9852-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2016] [Revised: 12/10/2017] [Accepted: 12/11/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Juvenile social play contributes to the development of adult social and emotional skills in humans and non-human animals, and is therefore a useful endpoint to study the effects of endocrine disrupters on behavior in animal models. Ethinylestradiol (EE2) is a widely produced, powerful synthetic estrogen that is widespread in the environment mainly because is a component of the contraceptive pill. In addition, fetuses may be exposed to EE2 when pregnancy is undetected during contraceptive treatment. To understand whether exposure to EE2 during gestation or lactation affects social play, we exposed 72 female Sprague-Dawley rats to EE2 or vehicle either during gestation (gestation day (GD) 5 through GD 20) or during lactation (from postnatal day (PND) 1 through PND 21). Two doses of EE2 were used to treat the dams: a lower dose in the range of possible environmental exposure (4 ng/kg/day) and a higher dose equivalent to that received during contraceptive treatment (400 ng/kg/day). Behavioral testing was carried out between PND 40 and 45. A principal component analysis of frequencies of behavioral items observed during play sessions identified three main components: defensive-like play, aggressive-like play, and exploration. Aggressive-like play was significantly increased by both doses of EE2, and the gestational administration was in general more effective than the lactational one. Defensive-like play and exploration were not significantly affected by treatment. This research showed that low and very low doses of EE2 that mimic clinical or environmental exposure during development can affect important aspects of social behavior even during restricted time windows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Zaccaroni
- Department di Biology, University of Firenze, Florence, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Massolo
- Ethology Unit, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,Laboratoire Chrono-environnement, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
| | - Daniele Della Seta
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | | | | | - Leonida Fusani
- Department of Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, and Konrad Lorenz Institute for Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
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Montagnini BG, Silveira KM, Pierone BC, de Azevedo Camim N, Anselmo-Franci JA, de Fátima Paccola Mesquita S, Kiss ACI, Gerardin DCC. Reproductive parameters of female Wistar rats treated with methylphenidate during development. Physiol Behav 2016; 167:118-124. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2016.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2016] [Revised: 08/16/2016] [Accepted: 08/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Fontana R, Della Torre S. The Deep Correlation between Energy Metabolism and Reproduction: A View on the Effects of Nutrition for Women Fertility. Nutrients 2016; 8:87. [PMID: 26875986 PMCID: PMC4772050 DOI: 10.3390/nu8020087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2015] [Revised: 01/21/2016] [Accepted: 02/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
In female mammals, mechanisms have been developed, throughout evolution, to integrate environmental, nutritional and hormonal cues in order to guarantee reproduction in favorable energetic conditions and to inhibit it in case of food scarcity. This metabolic strategy could be an advantage in nutritionally poor environments, but nowadays is affecting women's health. The unlimited availability of nutrients, in association with reduced energy expenditure, leads to alterations in many metabolic pathways and to impairments in the finely tuned inter-relation between energy metabolism and reproduction, thereby affecting female fertility. Many energetic states could influence female reproductive health being under- and over-weight, obesity and strenuous physical activity are all conditions that alter the profiles of specific hormones, such as insulin and adipokines, thus impairing women fertility. Furthermore, specific classes of nutrients might affect female fertility by acting on particular signaling pathways. Dietary fatty acids, carbohydrates, proteins and food-associated components (such as endocrine disruptors) have per se physiological activities and their unbalanced intake, both in quantitative and qualitative terms, might impair metabolic homeostasis and fertility in premenopausal women. Even though we are far from identifying a "fertility diet", lifestyle and dietary interventions might represent a promising and invaluable strategy to manage infertility in premenopausal women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Fontana
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, via Balzaretti 9, Milan 20133, Italy.
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Italian Institute of Technology, via Morego 30, Genova 16163, Italy.
| | - Sara Della Torre
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, via Balzaretti 9, Milan 20133, Italy.
- Center of Excellence of Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Milan, via Balzaretti 9, Milan 20133, Italy.
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