Betamethasone causes intergenerational reproductive impairment in male rats

Author(s)

Borges, Cibele dos Santos ; Pacheco, Taina Louise ; da Silva, Katiussia Pinho ; Fernandes, Fabio Henrique ; Gregory, Mary ; Pupo, Andre Sampaio ; Salvadori, Daisy Maria F. ; Cyr, Daniel G. ; Kempinas, Wilma De G.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: REPRODUCTIVE TOXICOLOGY; v. 71, p. 108-117, AUG 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 3

Abstract

Prenatal betamethasone (BM) exposure in rats negatively impacts sperm quality and male fertility. Studies have shown that BM can cause multi-generational effects on the pituitary-adrenal-axis of rats. The objective of this study was to assess the reproductive development and fertility of male rats (F2) whose fathers (Fl) were exposed to BM (0.1 mg/kg) on gestational days 12, 13, 18 and 19. In F2 rats, there was a significant reduction in body weights of the BM-treated group at PND 1 as well as delayed onset of puberty, and decreases in FSH levels, Leydig cell volume, sperm number and motility, seminal vesicle contractility and ejaculated volume. Furthermore, increased serum LH levels, sperm DNA damage and abnormal morphology were observed, resulting in reduced fertility. In conclusion, prenatal BM-treatment leads to intergenerational long-term reproductive impairment in male rats, raising concern regarding the widespread use of BM in preterm births. (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/25350-1 - Effects of in utero betamethasone exposure on male rats reproductive parameters, with emphasis on sperm quality and fertility: a multigenerational approach
• Grantee: Cibele dos Santos Borges
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate