Development of male and female prostate of the Mongolian gerbil submitted to the exposure embryofetal period and postnatal ethinylestradiol

Author(s)

Ana Paula da Silva Perez

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Campinas, SP.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Instituto de Biologia
• Defense date: 2010-03-19

Examining board members

Sebastião Roberto Taboga; Wellerson Rodrigo Scarano; Wagner José Fávaro

• Advisor: Sebastião Roberto Taboga

Abstract

In males, prostatic morphogenesis is an event controlled by androgens, which act directly via paracrine factors secreted by the mesenchyme. In females, the embryological development of the prostate appears to occur in environment low levels of steroid hormones, but the presence of these hormones in the adult life induces differentiation and secretory activity of prostatic cells. The early exposure to estrogen during the embryonic and neonatal development has been related to disturbances in the permanent morphophysiology of the reproductive system of both sexes. Epidemiological studies indicate that men exposed to estrogenic components during the pre natal development have a higher probability to be infertile and develop and testicular and prostate cancer, while women become more susceptible in developing breast, uterus and vagina cancer. However, as early exposure to steroid hormones can permanently alter various reproductive organs, it is questionable whether these agents can also interfere with the structure and physiology of the female prostate. Based on these reports, the aim of this study was to verify the behavior of gerbil ventral male and female prostates which were exposed to synthetic estrogen ethinylestradiol (EE) during embryonic development, as well as analyze the postnatal action of exogenous androgens on both glands that were submitted to estrogenization. For this were carried out serologic analysis for the measure of steroid hormones and prostate of male and female gerbils adults were subjected to analysis to morphological, morphometric-stereological and immunocytochemical analysis. The results showed that EE intrauterine exposure increased the estradiol serum levels in both sexes, thus promoting alterations in the male prostate such as prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) and irregularities in the female prostatic epithelium. Additionally, it was observed an increase of reticular fibers and collagen in both glands. Immunocytochemical analysis revealed increased imunnoreactivity of ?-actin in the muscle layer surrounding regions of prostatic lesions, and increased imunnoreactivity of androgen receptor (AR) in both male and female prostates. The animals that suffered development estrogenization and with the application of testosterone in postnatal life had estradiol levels normalized, still presented prostatic lesions. In addition, in these animals it was verified an increase in the imunnoreactivity of estrogenic receptors (ER?). Several of these alterations are mediated by ER? was verified by high immunoreactivity in prostates treated in both sexes. With the data we noticed that the treatment performed during the prenatal period with ethinyl estradiol promoted alterations in male ventral prostate and female prostate of adult gerbils. But these changes were most effective in the male ventral prostate, these being associated with abnormal levels of estradiol observed in adult males. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 07/06234-2 - Male and female prostate development of Mongolian gerbil following intrauterine and post natal ethynilestradiol exposure
• Grantee: Ana Paula da Silva Perez
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master