Prepubertal exposure to low doses of associated methylmercury and aroclor: evaluation of reproductive and endocrine parameters of pubescent and adult male rats

• Grant number: 13/14477-3
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology - Histology
• Principal Investigator: Juliana Elaine Perobelli
• Grantee: Juliana Elaine Perobelli
• Host Institution: Instituto de Saúde e Sociedade (ISS). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Baixada Santista. Santos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Methylmercury (MeHg) and polychlorinated bisphenols (PCBs) are persistent environmental toxicants and suffering biomagnification along the food chain. The main exposure source of the general population to these compounds is through the intake of contaminated fish and sea food. Many epidemiological and experimental studies have shown that these chemicals are neurotoxic and can cause adverse effects on reproductive parameters and endocrine system. However, there is a scarcity of studies investigating endocrine and reproductive parameters after exposure to MeHg and PCBs associated, especially in models of pre- and peri-pubertal exposure. The exposure during childhood/pre-puberty deserves special attention, because this developmental phase represents the first direct contact of the individual with environmental contaminants, without the intermediary role of maternal metabolism, as happens during pregnancy and lactation. In this context, the present study aimed to investigate whether the prepubertal exposure to MeHg and Aroclor (commercial mixture of PCBs), associated at low doses, interferes in the endocrine and reproductive parameters of male rats. It will be evaluated the testes, epididymis and thyroid of rats at puberty (immediate evaluation) and adulthood (late evaluation), after 62 days without exposure to chemicals. The results of this study will provide further information about the consequences of prepubertal exposure to MeHg and Aroclor associated, focusing on reproductive and endocrine health and sperm quality. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

GARCIA, MARIANA S.; CONSTANTINO, DULCE HELENA J.; SILVA, ANA P. G.; PEROBELLI, JULIANA E.. Fish pollutants MeHg and Aroclor cause permanent structural damage in male gonads and kidneys after prepubertal exposure. International Journal of Experimental Pathology, v. 97, n. 5, p. 360-368, OCT 2016. (13/26797-2, 13/14477-3)

GARCIA, M. S.; ORCINI, W. A.; PERUQUETTI, R. L.; PEROBELLI, J. E.. New approach for reproductive toxicity assessment: chromatoid bodies as a target for methylmercury and polychlorinated biphenyls in prepubertal male rats. REPRODUCTION FERTILITY AND DEVELOPMENT, v. 32, n. 10, p. 914-922, 2020. (16/04580-0, 13/14477-3, 13/26797-2, 12/22009-7)