Effect of zearalenone on reproductive parameters and expression of testicular genes in mice

0394646 - BTÚ 2014 CA eng A - Abstract
Žatecká, Eva - Děd, Lukáš - Elzeinová, Fatima - Kubátová, Alena - Korenková, Vlasta - Pěknicová, Jana
Effect of zearalenone on reproductive parameters and expression of testicular genes in mice.
Abstracts. Montréal: Society for the Study of Reproduction, 2013 - (Suarez, S.). s. 305-306
[SSR 46th Annual Meeteing. Reproduction Health: Nano to Global. 22.07.2013-26.07.2013, Montréal]
R&D Projects: GA ČR(CZ) GAP503/12/1834
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z50520701
Keywords : Zearalenone * Gene expression * Spermatogenesis * Reproductive parameters
Subject RIV: EB - Genetics ; Molecular Biology

Endocrine disruptors are hormonally active compounds which can disturb the physiological function of our endogenous hormones. Frequently they act as weak estrogenic, antiestrogenic or antiandrogenic compounds, and it was shown that they can influence both male and female reproductive development and function. One of these substances is mycotoxin Zearalenone (ZE). ZE is produced by fungi of the species Fusarium. Fusarium is a common contaminant of grain and can produce up to 1900 mg dry weight of the toxin to 1 kg of grain. To evaluate the effect of ZE on reproduction we performed two-generational in vivo study with outbred mouse line CD1. In this study we examined the effect of two different doses of ZE (25 µg/kg b.w. and 25 ng/kg b.w. per day) on reproduction parameters, spermatogenesis, semen quality and expression of testicular genes. A decrease in sperm concentration and sperm quality was observed, mainly in animals that were exposed to the lower concentration of ZE. For gene expression analysis we used BIOMARK. BIOMARK enables gene expression quantification in 48x48 arrays, producing 2,304 real-time PCR reactions in a single run. For this analysis we selected genes that play an important role during spermatogenesis, are expressed in Sertoli cells, or play a role in the process of apoptosis and in hormonal response. In experimental animals we detected decreased sperm concentration (by 40 %) and impairment of sperm quality (morphology and increase of apoptotic spermatozoa). Based on our experiments we can assume that the decrease in sperm concentration has its origin at the level of spermatogonia. Surprisingly, we observed a stronger effect after exposure to the lower dose of ZE (25 ng/kg b.w. per day). This phenomenon is quite common in endocrinology, where lower dosages of hormones are effective, while high dosages have no effect. Also, the higher doses may potentially lead to greater recourse to compensatory mechanisms.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0223155