Combined effects of exposure to di-n-butyl phthalate and to high-fat diet on testicular structure and function of adult gerbils

Author(s)

Ana Carolina Negrin

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Campinas, SP.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Instituto de Biologia
• Defense date: 2014-02-28

Examining board members

Rejane Maira Góes; Valéria Helena Alves Cagnon; Arielle Cristina Arena

• Advisor: Rejane Maira Góes

Abstract

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC), as di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), can alter the scenary of steroid hormones or their action, impairing the testicular development and reproductive capacity in adulthood. Toxicological studies show that adult rats, when exposed to high doses of phthalates during sexual differentiation, exhibit several reproductive anomalies, such as agenesis of the epididymis and reduction in daily sperm production. Data show that exposures to 2mg/kg/day of DBP during gestation and lactation periods are enough to impair the development of the male germ cells. Furthermore, there are reports that EDC contribute to the increase of the adipogenesis by altering cell signaling of adipocytes and lipid metabolism. It is known that the male obesity can affect semen quality and increases infertility rates. Whereas that phthalates can accumulate in adipose tissue, we were interested in evaluating the effects of prolonged exposure to low doses of DBP and possible interferences of excess dietary fat for testicular function and spermatic parameters of adult gerbils. Adult female gerbils, fed high-fat (20% fat) or balanced diet (4% fat) for eight weeks, were mated with normal males. The male offspring was divided into control (C), di-n-butyl phthalate (Ph), high-fat diet (HF) and high-fat diet plus di-n-butyl phthalate (HFPh) groups. DBP (5 mg/kg/day) was administered in drinking water to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and to offspring from weaning up to adulthood (14-week-old). Testis response was evaluated by means of microscopic and stereological analyses, sensitivity of its major cell populations to androgens and estrogens, steroidogenic capacity and spermatic efficiency. We also examined the effects on sperm reserves, sperm transit time through the epididymis and sperm motility. Alone, low doses of DBP resulted in obesity and dislipidemy at adulthood. No histological change was observed in testicular structure of these animals, but there was reduction in intratesticular estrogen synthtesis, resulting in a tendency to decrease in sperm production. The decrease in intratesticular estrogen after lifetime DBP exposure was accompanied by a ~70% increment in ER? content in the testis, that might be an adaptative response to low estrogen levels. Chronic intake of high-fat diet did not induce obesity in aldult gerbils, but led to a slight decrease in spermatic efficiency. This decrease was not associated with changes in testicular structure or steroidogenic capacity, because serum or intratesticular testosterone and estrogen concentrations were not altered, but it can be linked to an unbalanced in androgen receptor signaling, since it was observed a decrease in AR content. The combined exposure to high-fat diet and to low doses of DBP acted synergical and negatively on intratesticular testosterone synthesis, impairing the spermatic efficiency and increasing the sperm transit time. The sperm motility was not changed in isolated or combined exposures. This study demonstrated that fat nutritional environment may adversely affect the response of testes to phthalates, and provide new informations for understanding the consequences of exposures to ECD in decreasing human sperm counts and fertility (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/16406-0 - Combined effects of exposure to di-n-butyl phthalate and the obesogenic environment on the testicular struture and function of gerbil adult
• Grantee: Ana Carolina Negrin
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master