Effects of exposure to bisphenol A during pregnancy and lactation on hormone modulation and receptors in the prostate of senile female gerbils

• Grant number: 22/14749-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): February 01, 2023
• Effective date (End): June 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology - Histology
• Principal Investigator: Sebastião Roberto Taboga
• Grantee: Luara Jesus Ferrato
• 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

The prostate is a gland commonly associated with the male urogenital system, but recently it has been described in females of several mammals, being a current target of experimental studies. This gland is regulated by steroid hormones and endocrine disruptions can affect its development and morphologic features. Studies regarding the exposure to endocrine disruptors, such as the xenoestrogen bisphenol A (BPA), presented relevant changes in prostatic morphophysiology. Moreover, exposure to BPA results in gene modulation and, consequently, in the expression of hormone receptors. Thus, the present study aims to analyze the expression of hormone receptors and intraprostatic hormonal modulation via converting enzymes in the prostate of aged female gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) after exposure to BPA during gestation and lactation. For this study, the females will be divided into 3 experimental groups: control group (gavage with water); vehicle control group (gavage with oil); BPA group (50 µg/kg/daily). The samples will be submitted and analyzed under histological techniques, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. The expression of androgen (AR), estrogen (ER± and ER²), progesterone (PR) and prolactin (PRL) receptors will be evaluated and associated to proliferation and cell death in the epithelium, lesions and stroma. Thus, this study will present mechanistic results linking the modulation of receptors to these cellular events. Also, serum hormone levels of testosterone and estrogen will be analyzed, in addition to the expression of hormone-converting enzymes, 5±-reductase and aromatase, in the female prostate. Thus, the present study will present results regarding the modulation of hormone receptors expression and in-tissue hormonal-converting enzymes in the female prostate after exposure to BPA.