Effects of in utero betamethasone exposure on sperm quality and fertility of the male rats

• Grant number: 13/26557-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 01, 2014
• End date: December 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology - Embryology
• Principal Investigator: Wilma de Grava Kempinas
• Grantee: Ana Flávia Mota Gonçalves Dias
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IBB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Glucocorticoids are potent drugs of anti-rheumatic, anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive action, and they are the drugs of choice for antenatal treatment, promoting fetal lung maturation and thus decreasing the incidence of respiratory distress syndrome, neonatal mortality and morbidity, especially the glucocorticoid betamethasone. Studies conducted in association with our laboratory have shown that prenatal exposure to this drug promoted changes in testosterone levels and sperm parameters of male offspring. The purpose of this work is to perform comprehensive study of possible changes in male rats reproductive parameters with emphasis on sperm quality caused by in utero exposure to betamethasone. Therefore, pregnant Wistar rats will be allocated in the control group and treated with 0.1 mg / kg betamethasone on gestational days 12,13,18 and 19. The male offspring will be evaluated from postnatal day (PND) 30 concerning preputial separation and on PND 90: hormone levels, sperm parameters, histological analysis of the testes and epididymis, natural mating and fertility after artificial insemination. The project subject is current and very relevant, considering the wide use of this drug on therapies with maternal risk of premature delivery and due to the known action of glucocorticoids on fetal programming. Besides generating new knowledge, we intend to prepare qualified human resources in Reproductive Biology and Toxicology.

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)

BORGES, CIBELE DOS S.; DIAS, ANA FLAVIA M. G.; SILVA, PATRICIA V.; ROSA, JOSIANE LIMA; GUERRA, MARINA T.; SILVA, RAQUEL F.; KIGUTI, LUIZ RICARDO A.; PUPO, ANDRE S.; KEMPINAS, WILMA DE G.. Long-term adverse effects on reproductive function in male rats exposed prenatally to the glucocorticoid betamethasone. Toxicology, v. 376, n. SI, p. 15-22, FEB 1 2017. (13/26557-1, 12/25350-1)

BORGES, CIBELE S.; DIAS, ANA FLAVIA M. G.; ROSA, JOSIANE LIMA; SILVA, PATRICIA V.; SILVA, RAQUEL F.; BARROS, ALINE L.; SANABRIA, MARCIANA; GUERRA, MARINA T.; GREGORY, MARY; CYR, DANIEL G.; et al. Alterations in male rats following in utero exposure to betamethasone suggests changes in reproductive programming. REPRODUCTIVE TOXICOLOGY, v. 63, p. 125-134, AUG 2016. (13/26557-1, 12/25350-1)

BORGES, CIBELE DOS S.; DIAS, ANA FLAVIA M. G.; SILVA, PATRICIA V.; ROSA, JOSIANE LIMA; GUERRA, MARINA T.; SILVA, RAQUEL F.; KIGUTI, LUIZ RICARDO A.; PUPO, ANDRE S.; KEMPINAS, WILMA DE G.. Long-term adverse effects on reproductive function in male rats exposed prenatally to the glucocorticoid betamethasone. Toxicology, v. 376, p. 8-pg., 2017-02-01. (13/26557-1, 12/25350-1)