Project description:NSAIDs and ACE that affect prostaglandin synthesis are widely used by pregnant women. Epidemiological studies have hypothesized a potential relation of testis dysgenesis syndromes such as cryptorchidism and hypospadias to exposure to these molecules during both the first and the second trimesters of gestation. To decipher whether the embryonic gonads themselves are targets for these molecules, we analysed the impact of precocious in utero exposure to NSAIDs and ACE alone or in combination on the early development of the testis during sex determination, using therapeutic doses similar to those administrated in human medications. We found that in utero exposure to ACE, aspirin or ibuprofen affects the germ cell proliferation in embryonic testis. The whole transcriptome of 13.5 dpc (days post coïtum) treated testis suggests different mechanisms of action of these drugs and a functional interaction between both molecules used in combination, in accelerating the germ cell differentiation. We identified that ACE and ibuprofen exposure through the up-regulation of Dnmt3L expression induces advanced epigenetic reprograming of the germline and enhanced glycogen storage within the testis cords through the activation of extracellular matrix genes expression. In addition, we identified for the first time the prostaglandin production pattern in the embryonic gonad and showed that PGD2, PGE2 and PGI2 were the targets of ACE and NSAIDs drugs. These features might affect the formation and maturation of postnatal testis and secondary reproductive organs leading to male infertility in adult age.
Project description:Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (IBU) and analgesic drugs, such as acetaminophen (APAP), are the most frequently medications taken by pregnant women, even in combination. They were shown to target fetal gonadal development acting as endocrine disruptors, that might favour genital malformations in new-born boys and reproductive disorders in adults, in an intergenerational manner. However, the consequences on postnatal ovarian development and female reproductive health after in utero exposure are still unknown. Here, we show that in utero exposure to therapeutic doses of the widely used APAP-IBU combination during the sensitive window of sex determination leads to an increased proliferation of female embryonic germ cells and a delayed entry into meiosis in 13.5dpc exposed ovaries. Consequently, the primordial follicle formation is enhanced in postnatal ovaries and is followed by a reduced follicular activation through the Akt/FoxO3 pathway and an increased follicular apoptosis. Subsequently, a reduced ovarian reserve in adult ovaries of exposed animals and in their offspring (F1) is observed. This leads to the subfertility of 6-month-old F1 animals that show an accelerated ovarian aging, a Premature Ovarian Insufficiency-like phenotype, with an abnormal persistence of corpora lutea due to the decreased apoptosis and an increased luteal Akt-mediated cell survival. Our data suggest that the use of APAP+IBU during this critical period of development that occurs during the first trimester of gestation (6 to 10 weeks), could lead in humans to adverse effects that could be passed to the offspring.
Project description:The endocrine disrupting pharmaceuticals, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and 17α-ethinyl-estradiol (EE2), are among the most relevant molecules found in aquatic ecosystems, surface and drinking water due to their incomplete removal by wastewater treatment plants. Exposure to therapeutic doses has a negative impact on gonadal development and fertility in rodent models; however, the effects of their chronic exposure at lower doses are not known. 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, 8.5 dpc, until sexual maturity) on the reproductive tract in F1 exposed mice and their F2 offspring. In adult F1 and F2 animals, chronic exposure to low environmental doses of IBU, 2hydroxy-IBU, DCF, and EE2 mixtures, affected reproductive organ maturation, estrous cyclicity (in females), spermiogenesis (in males), and some sperm parameters in F2 males. Transcriptomics further revealed significant changes in gene expression patterns and associated pathways, underlying the modified mechanisms on testis and ovarian physiology and on germ cells, the precursors of gametes. Consequently, fertility of F1 male and female animals exposed to the higher dose of pharmaceuticals and that of their F2 offsprings, measured through the total number of pups and the time between litters, was affected after 5 months of age. This suggested that exposure to these drug cocktails has an inter-generational impact.
Project description:The current study investigates the direct effects of in utero vinclozolin exposure on the developing rat testis transcriptome. Vinclozolin is a commonly used fungicide in agriculture and is an endocrine disruptor with anti-androgenic activity. Previous studies have demonstrated that exposure to vinclozolin during embryonic gonadal sex determination induces epigenetic modifications of the germ line and transgenerational adult onset disease states that include spermatogenic cell defects, prostate disease, kidney disease, and tumor development. An investigation of the molecular actions of vinclozolin was initiated through an analysis of direct actions on the F1 generation embryonic testis development. Microarray analyses were performed to compare control and vinclozolin treated testis transcriptomes at embryonic day 13, 14 and 16. A total of 576 differentially expressed genes were identified and the major cellular functions and pathways associated with these altered transcripts were examined. The sets of regulated genes at the different development periods were found to be transiently altered and distinct. Interestingly, genes previously shown to be regulated during normal male sex determination were not altered by vinclozolin treatment. Categorization by major known functions of all 576 genes altered by in utero vinclozolin exposure demonstrates transcription, signaling, cytoskeletal and extra cellular matrix associated transcripts are highly represented. Specific cellular process and pathway analyses suggest the involvement of Wnt and calcium signaling, vascular development and epigenetic mechanisms as potential mediators of the direct F1 generation actions of vinclozolin. For Samples 1-12: We used microarrays to determine genes expressed differentially between control and in utero Vinclozolin treated E13, E14, and E16 rat testis. For Samples 13-16: We used microarrays to determine genes expressed differentially between control and in vitro Vinclozolin treated E13 cultured rat testis. For Samples 17-20: We used microarrays to determine genes expressed differentially between control and in vitro Flutamide treated rat E13 cultured testis.
Project description:The current study investigates the direct effects of in utero vinclozolin exposure on the developing rat testis transcriptome. Vinclozolin is a commonly used fungicide in agriculture and is an endocrine disruptor with anti-androgenic activity. Previous studies have demonstrated that exposure to vinclozolin during embryonic gonadal sex determination induces epigenetic modifications of the germ line and transgenerational adult onset disease states that include spermatogenic cell defects, prostate disease, kidney disease, and tumor development. An investigation of the molecular actions of vinclozolin was initiated through an analysis of direct actions on the F1 generation embryonic testis development. Microarray analyses were performed to compare control and vinclozolin treated testis transcriptomes at embryonic day 13, 14 and 16. A total of 576 differentially expressed genes were identified and the major cellular functions and pathways associated with these altered transcripts were examined. The sets of regulated genes at the different development periods were found to be transiently altered and distinct. Interestingly, genes previously shown to be regulated during normal male sex determination were not altered by vinclozolin treatment. Categorization by major known functions of all 576 genes altered by in utero vinclozolin exposure demonstrates transcription, signaling, cytoskeletal and extra cellular matrix associated transcripts are highly represented. Specific cellular process and pathway analyses suggest the involvement of Wnt and calcium signaling, vascular development and epigenetic mechanisms as potential mediators of the direct F1 generation actions of vinclozolin. For Samples 1-12: We used microarrays to determine genes expressed differentially between control and in utero Vinclozolin treated E13, E14, and E16 rat testis. For Samples 13-16: We used microarrays to determine genes expressed differentially between control and in vitro Vinclozolin treated E13 cultured rat testis. For Samples 17-20: We used microarrays to determine genes expressed differentially between control and in vitro Flutamide treated rat E13 cultured testis. For Samples 1-12: RNA samples from two control groups are compared to two Vinclozolin treated groups for each E13, E14, E16 testis. For Samples 13-16: RNA samples from two control groups of E13 cultured testis are compared to two Vinclosolin treated groups of E13 cultured testis. For Samples 17-20: RNA samples from two control groups of E13 cultured testis are compared to two Flutamide treated groups of E13 cultured testis.
Project description:Embryonic exposure to the endocrine disruptor vinclozolin during gonadal sex determination appears to promote an epigenetic reprogramming of the male germ line that is associated with transgenerational adult-onset disease states. Transgenerational effects on the embryonic day 16 (E16) testis demonstrated reproducible changes in the testis transcriptome for multiple generations (F1-F3). The expression of 196 genes was found to be influenced, with the majority of gene expression being decreased or silenced. Dramatic changes in the gene expression of methyltransferases during gonadal sex determination were observed in the F1 and F2 vinclozolin generation (E16) embryonic testis, but the majority returned to control-generation levels by the F3 generation. The most dramatic effects were on the germ-line-associated Dnmt3A and Dnmt3L isoforms. Observations demonstrate that an embryonic exposure to vinclozolin appears to promote an epigenetic reprogramming of the male germ line that correlates with transgenerational alterations in the testis transcriptome in subsequent generations. Keywords: expression analysis, transgenerational changes due to Vinclozolin
Project description:Embryonic exposure to the endocrine disruptor vinclozolin during gonadal sex determination appears to promote an epigenetic reprogramming of the male germ line that is associated with transgenerational adult-onset disease states. Transgenerational effects on the embryonic day 16 (E16) testis demonstrated reproducible changes in the testis transcriptome for multiple generations (F1-F3). The expression of 196 genes was found to be influenced, with the majority of gene expression being decreased or silenced. Dramatic changes in the gene expression of methyltransferases during gonadal sex determination were observed in the F1 and F2 vinclozolin generation (E16) embryonic testis, but the majority returned to control-generation levels by the F3 generation. The most dramatic effects were on the germ-line-associated Dnmt3A and Dnmt3L isoforms. Observations demonstrate that an embryonic exposure to vinclozolin appears to promote an epigenetic reprogramming of the male germ line that correlates with transgenerational alterations in the testis transcriptome in subsequent generations. Experiment Overall Design: E16 Testis RNA samples from F1, F2, F3 generation control groups are compared to F1, F2, F3 generation vinclozolin treated groups
Project description:The transcriptomics changes induced in the human liver cell line HepG2 by low and high doses of acetaminophen and solvent controls after treatment for 4 time points (12h, 24h, 48h and 72h) The study investigated differential gene expression in HepG2 cell line mRNA following 12 to 72 hours of exposure to low and high doses of acetaminophen and solvent controls. Three biological replicates per compound/solvent.
Project description:People are exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, like benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), via inhalation of particulate matter air pollution and ingestion of grilled and smoked foods. Prenatal exposure to BaP destroys germ cells in ovaries, causing earlier onset of ovarian senescence post-natally. Developing testes are affected at higher doses than ovaries. However, it is not known if adverse effects are transmitted to subsequent generations. We orally dosed pregnant female mice (F0) with 0.033, 0.2, or 2 mg/kg-day BaP or vehicle from embryonic day (E) 6.5-11.5 (F1 offspring) or E6.5-15.5 (F2 and F3). Ovarian germ cell and follicle numbers were significantly decreased in F3 females at all doses of BaP; testicular germ cells were not affected. E13.5 germ cell RNA-sequencing revealed significantly increased expression of male-specific genes in female germ cells across generations and BaP doses. Our study demonstrated that F0 BaP exposure partially disrupted sexual identity of female germ cells transgenerationally.
Project description:People are exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, like benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), via inhalation of particulate matter air pollution and ingestion of grilled and smoked foods. Prenatal exposure to BaP destroys germ cells in ovaries, causing earlier onset of ovarian senescence post-natally. Developing testes are affected at higher doses than ovaries. However, it is not known if adverse effects are transmitted to subsequent generations. We orally dosed pregnant female mice (F0) with 0.033, 0.2, or 2 mg/kg-day BaP or vehicle from embryonic day (E) 6.5-11.5 (F1 offspring) or E6.5-15.5 (F2 and F3). Ovarian germ cell and follicle numbers were significantly decreased in F3 females at all doses of BaP; testicular germ cells were not affected. E13.5 germ cell RNA-sequencing revealed significantly increased expression of male-specific genes in female germ cells across generations and BaP doses. Our study demonstrated that F0 BaP exposure partially disrupted sexual identity of female germ cells transgenerationally.