Flutamide effects on morphology of reproductive organs and liver of Neotropical Anura, Rhinella schneideri

Author(s)

de Gregorio, Lara S. ^[1] ; Franco-Belussi, Lilian ^[2] ; Gomes, Fernando R. ^[3] ; de Oliveira, Classius ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] UNESP Univ Estadual Paulista, Grad Program Anim Biol, Dept Biol, Rua Cristovao Colombo 2265, BR-15054000 Sao Jose Do Rio Preto Ib - Brazil

^[2] UNESP Univ Estadual Paulista, Dept Biol, Rua Cristovao Colombo 2265, BR-15054000 Sao Jose Do Rio Preto Ib - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Biociencias, Dept Physiol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY; v. 176, p. 181-189, JUL 2016.
• Web of Science Citations: 5

Abstract

Water contamination is one of the factors influencing the decline of amphibians. Flutamide is an antiandrogenic medicine that occurs as water contaminant. This compound especially affects the reproductive organs, but it can also show hepatotoxic effects. The Bufonidae family has a peculiar organ named Bidder's organ, considered by some authors as a rudimentary ovary, but capable to respond to some external stimuli. This study investigated flutamide effects on testes and Bidder's organ germ cells, liver pigmentation, and sexual hormones levels in Rhinella schneideri males. We randomly divided 15 males in three groups (N =5): two groups were injected with flutamide, at 1 and 5 mg/kg, while the control group received only mineral oil, for 7 days. After euthanasia, blood samples were collected and the organs were sent to histological routine. In the testes, both treatments caused an increase in spermatogonia and spermatocytes, and a decrease in spermatozoa and locular area. In the Bidder's organ, the final diplotene oocytes increased, but the initial diplotene, degrading and atresic oocytes reduced in both treatments. The lipofuscin in the Bidder's organ was not affected. In the liver, melanin and lipofuscin increased only for the 1 mg/kg flutamide treatment. The 5 mg/kg treatment did not affect the liver. Serum testosterone and estradiol levels did not vary compared with the control group. This compound has antiandrogenic activity, which can affect the spermatogenetic process. The decrease in degrading and atresic Bidderian oocytes indicated that flutamide could stimulate the organ, retarding the degradation processes. The increase in liver melanin, which has protective role, and lipofuscin, a sign of degradation, indicates that flutamide cause hepatotoxic effects. So we conclude that flutamide negatively affects the testes, especially by reducing the sperm area, and the liver, inducing cell degradation and producing protective responses. Furthermore, the compound encourages lower degradation rates of the Bidder's organ germ cells. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/00946-4 - Internal Pigmentation in Ectotherms: Innate immunity and UV defense
• Grantee: Lilian Franco Belussi
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 13/02067-5 - Toxic effects of the herbicides Atrazine and Roundup in Eupemphix nattereri (Leiuperidae) and Rhinella schneideri (Bufonidae): morphological changes under different concentrations and abiotic conditions (pH, temperature and photoperiod)
• Grantee: Classius de Oliveira
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 11/01840-7 - Antiinflammatory action of alfa-MSH hormone in anurans: a systemic and in vitro study.
• Grantee: Lilian Franco Belussi
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate