Endocrine disruptors and the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD): Protocols for multisystem studies in rodent model

• Grant number: 25/02095-6
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: June 01, 2025
• End date: May 31, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology - Histology
• Principal Investigator: Sebastião Roberto Taboga
• Grantee: Sebastião Roberto Taboga
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências, Letras e Ciências Exatas (IBILCE). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de São José do Rio Preto. São José do Rio Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Advances in studies on the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) provide information on the emergence of pathologies throughout life. Diseases associated with DOHaD are related to factors, such as poor nutrition, stress, and chemical agents. Among them, endocrine disruptors (EDCs) show a relevant impact on multiple generations since they are widespread in the environment. Current EDC research protocols are focused on multiple experimental model approaches. Most of this research focuses on the use of specific animal models for each target organ, making studies in multiple organs in a single experimental model unfeasible, in addition to the absence of categorization of endocrine disruption. Therefore, it is essential to systematize parameters to categorize the types of endocrine disruption in an experimental model of DOHaD. Thus, the Mongolian gerbil will be used as an experimental model, considering its favorable characteristics for the study of transgenerational diseases associated with EDCs: short reproductive and life cycle, susceptibility of multiple organs to exposure to EDCs, and propensity for the development of spontaneous pathologies. This model will be subjected to transgenerational exposure protocols to different classes of compounds known as EDCs. To establish the values of the altered morphological, molecular, and biochemical parameters, organs of the female reproductive system (ovaries, uterus, prostate, and mammary gland) and male (testis, epididymis, and prostate) and other glands (pituitary, adrenal, thyroid, liver, and pancreas). Finally, these values will be classified and organized according to the types of endocrine disruption in each organ and in a systemic way. It is expected to obtain an experimental protocol of endocrine disruption in DOHaD, which will facilitate future tests for other possible EDCs. (AU)