Exposure to benzo(a)pyrene from juvenile period to peripubertal impairs male reproductive parameters in adult rats

Author(s)

Jorge, Barbara Campos ^[1] ; Casali Reis, Ana Carolina ^[1] ; Sterde, Erika Tissiana ^[1] ; Balin, Paola da Silva ^[1] ; Scarano, Wellerson Rodrigo ^[1] ; Hisano, Hamilton ^[2] ; Arena, Arielle Cristina ^{[1, 3]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Paulista Botucatu, Inst Biosci Botucatu, UNESP, Dept Struct & Funct Biol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Embrapa Environm, Jaguariuna, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Estadual Paulista Botucatu, Ctr Toxicol Assistance CEATOX, UNESP, Inst Biosci Botucatu, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Chemosphere; v. 263, JAN 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) is a persistent organic pollutant and endocrine disruptor that can compromise the steroidogenesis process by interacting with the StAR protein, causing adverse effects on male reproduction. However, consequences of prepubertal BaP exposure and its impacts on adult life are yet unknown. This study investigated the effects of BaP exposure from the juvenile period to peripubertal on reproductive parameters in adult male rats. Males were exposed to 0; 0.1; 1 or 10 mu g/kg/day of BaP from post-natal (PND) 23 to PND 53 (by gavage). The lowest dose of BaP was able to compromise the male copulatory behavior, as evidenced by the delay in the first mount, intromission and ejaculation. Furthermore, BaP-treated groups showed lower sperm quality (disrupted motility and morphology) and quantity, reduced relative weights of the thyroid and seminal gland. Serum testosterone levels and the Leydig cells nuclei volume were decreased by BaP exposure whereas the StAR expression was increased. Histopathological changes in the testis also were detected in the males exposed to BaP. These results showed that prepubertal BaP-exposure adversely influenced the male reproductive system in the adult life, indicating that a comprehensive risk assessment of BaP-exposure on prepubertal period is necessary. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/22176-4 - Exposure to Benzo(a)pyrene in pubertal male: late repercussions on reproductive parameters in rats
• Grantee: Ana Carolina Casali Reis
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 19/03284-6 - Impact of paternal exposure to benzo(a)pirene from juvenile to peripubetal period in rats: multigenerational and transgenerational effects on reproductive parameters
• Grantee: Arielle Cristina Arena
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants