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Maxwell DL, Oluwayiose OA, Houle E, Roth K, Nowak K, Sawant S, Paskavitz AL, Liu W, Gurdziel K, Petriello MC, Richard Pilsner J. Mixtures of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) alter sperm methylation and long-term reprogramming of offspring liver and fat transcriptome. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 186:108577. [PMID: 38521043 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
Male fertility has been declining worldwide especially in countries with high levels of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl Substances (PFAS) have been classified as EDCs and have been linked to adverse male reproductive health. The mechanisms of these associations and their implications on offspring health remain unknown. The aims of the current study were to assess the effect of PFAS mixtures on the sperm methylome and transcriptional changes in offspring metabolic tissues (i.e., liver and fat). C57BL/6 male mice were exposed to a mixture of PFAS (PFOS, PFOA, PFNA, PFHxS, Genx; 20 µg/L each) for 18-weeks or water as a control. Genome-wide methylation was assessed on F0 epidydimal sperm using reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) and Illumina mouse methylation array, while gene expression was assessed by bulk RNA sequencing in 8-week-old offspring derived from unexposed females. PFAS mixtures resulted in 2,861 (RRBS) and 83 (Illumina) sperm DMRs (q < 0.05). Functional enrichment revealed that PFAS-induced sperm DMRs were associated with behavior and developmental pathways in RRBS, while Illumina DMRs were related to lipid metabolism and cell signaling. Additionally, PFAS mixtures resulted in 40 and 53 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the liver and fat of males, and 9 and 31 DEGs in females, respectively. Functional enrichment of DEGs revealed alterations in cholesterol metabolism and mitotic cell cycle regulation in the liver and myeloid leukocyte migration in fat of male offspring, while in female offspring, erythrocyte development and carbohydrate catabolism were affected in fat. Our results demonstrate that exposure to a mixture of legacy and newly emerging PFAS chemicals in adult male mice result in aberrant sperm methylation and altered gene expression of offspring liver and fat in a sex-specific manner. These data indicate that preconception PFAS exposure in males can be transmitted to affect phenotype in the next generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- DruAnne L Maxwell
- C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, the United States of America; Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, the United States of America
| | - Oladele A Oluwayiose
- C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, the United States of America
| | - Emily Houle
- C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, the United States of America
| | - Katherine Roth
- Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, the United States of America
| | - Karolina Nowak
- C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, the United States of America
| | - Savni Sawant
- C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, the United States of America; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, the United States of America
| | - Amanda L Paskavitz
- C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, the United States of America; Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, the United States of America
| | - Wanqing Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, the United States of America; Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit 48201, MI, the United States of America; Department of Oncology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, the United States of America
| | - Katherine Gurdziel
- Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, the United States of America; Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit 48201, MI, the United States of America
| | - Michael C Petriello
- Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, the United States of America; Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit 48201, MI, the United States of America
| | - J Richard Pilsner
- C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, the United States of America; Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, the United States of America.
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Zhang D, Hu J, Li H. Perfluorooctanoic acid inhibits androgen biosynthesis in rat immature Leydig cells. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2024; 39:1700-1714. [PMID: 38050817 DOI: 10.1002/tox.24042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a commonly used short-chain synthetic perfluoroalkyl agent. Immature Leydig cells (ILCs) are localized in the testis and responsible for androgen biosynthesis and metabolism. Although PFOA shows toxicity in the reproductive system, it is not clear if it disrupts the function of ILCs. In the present study, primary ILCs were isolated from 35-day-old rats and exposed to a range of PFOA concentrations (0, 0.01, 0.1, or 1 μM). It was determined that 0.1 or 1 μM PFOA reduced total androgen biosynthesis in ILCs. Specifically, 22R-hydroxycholesterol (22R), and pregnenolone (P5) mediated androgen biosynthesis were reduced by 0.1 μM PFOA. PFOA also selectively downregulated mRNA and protein expressions of steroidogenic enzymes including LHCGR, CYP11A1, 3β-HSD1, and NR5A1 at 0.01, 0.1, or 1 μM. Further analysis revealed that 0.1 μM PFOA inhibited CYP11A1 and 3β-HSD1 enzyme activities. However, PFOA did not significantly affect androgen metabolism and turnover under any of the conditions tested. And PFOA gavaging to 35-day-old rats at 5 or 10 mg/kg for 7 or 14 days also reduced serum androgen levels secreted by ILCs. Moreover, PFOA gavaging also downregulated the mRNA and protein expression levels of LHCGR, CYP11A1, 3β-HSD1, and NR5A1 in vivo. Taken together, these findings suggest that PFOA inhibits androgen biosynthesis in ILCs by selectively targeting key enzymes in the synthesis pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongxu Zhang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiasheng Hu
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Heming Li
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
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3
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Daugherty S, Mulabagal V, Hayworth J, Akingbemi BT. Legacy and Emerging Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Regulate Steroidogenesis in the Male Gonad. Endocrinology 2023; 164:bqad142. [PMID: 37767721 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqad142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widely used in a variety of industrial processes and manufacturing of consumer products. Current efforts by the manufacturing industry will limit use of long-chain or legacy PFAS represented by perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and replace with short-chain or emerging PFAS such as perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) and perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS). However, there is little to no information on the toxicity of new and emerging PFAS. Therefore, we performed experiments in growing Long-Evans male rats to investigate effects of low-dose prepubertal and pubertal exposures to PFAS on gonadal steroid hormone secretion. The results demonstrated that both legacy and emerging PFAS have the capacity to regulate testicular steroidogenesis. For instance, prepubertal exposures to PFOS, PFBA, and PFBS increased serum and testicular testosterone concentrations. Exposure to PFBA increased testicular 17β-estradiol (E2) concentrations, and PFOS and PFBS both decreased serum E2 concentrations while stimulating testicular E2 secretion. The data also demonstrated additive effects due to legacy and emerging PFAS mixtures compared with the individual chemicals. The gonadal effects due to PFAS exposures occurred at nanomolar concentrations, which approximate PFAS levels in the environment. Taken together, the present study supports the need for development of cost-effective and sustainable filtration media for different processes to remove PFAS from water and other sources of exposure. Current action by regulatory agencies such as the US Environmental Protection Agency to limit use of PFAS in the manufacture of consumer products will protect public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Daugherty
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, Auburn University, Auburn AL 36849, USA
| | - Vanisree Mulabagal
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn AL 36849, USA
| | - Joel Hayworth
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn AL 36849, USA
| | - Benson T Akingbemi
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, Auburn University, Auburn AL 36849, USA
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Liu Y, Calafat AM, Chen A, Lanphear BP, Jones NHY, Cecil KM, Rose SR, Yolton K, Buckley JP, Braun JM. Associations of prenatal and postnatal exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances with pubertal development and reproductive hormones in females and males: The HOME study. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 890:164353. [PMID: 37225096 PMCID: PMC10330798 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal and childhood exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) may be associated with lower reproductive hormones and later puberty, but epidemiological studies evaluating these associations are scarce. OBJECTIVES We examined associations of PFAS concentrations assessed from pregnancy to adolescence with pubertal development and reproductive hormones at age 12 years. METHODS We studied 200 mother-child pairs from the HOME Study in Cincinnati, OH (enrolled: 2003-2006). We quantified serum concentrations of perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorononanoate (PFNA), and perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) in pregnant women and their children at age 3, 8 and 12 years. At age 12 years, children self-assessed pubertal development using Tanner staging of pubic hair growth (males and females) and breast growth (females), and age at menarche. We quantified serum concentrations of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone in both sexes; estradiol in females; testosterone in males. We estimated associations of PFAS with pubertal outcomes and reproductive hormones using a combination of ordinal regression, Cox proportional-hazard regression, and linear regression. Quantile-based g-computation was used for PFAS mixture. RESULTS In females, adolescent PFAS concentrations and their mixture were associated with later pubic hair growth, breast maturation, and age at menarche, but there was no pattern for prenatal or other postnatal concentrations. For instance, in females, each doubling in adolescent PFAS concentrations was associated with 79 % (PFOA), 63 % (PFOS), 56 % (PFNA), and 47 % (PFHxS) lower odds of attaining a higher stage for breast growth. In addition, adolescent PFAS concentrations were consistently associated with lower estradiol concentrations in females. No pattern was observed for associations of PFAS concentrations with pubic hair growth or reproductive hormones in males. CONCLUSIONS We observed associations between PFAS concentrations in adolescence and later pubertal development in females, but this could be due to reverse causation induced by excretion of PFAS through menstrual fluid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Liu
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA.
| | - Antonia M Calafat
- National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Aimin Chen
- Department of Biostatics, Epidemiology & Informatics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Bruce P Lanphear
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Nana-Hawa Yayah Jones
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Kim M Cecil
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Susan R Rose
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Kimberly Yolton
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Jessie P Buckley
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Joseph M Braun
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
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5
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India-Aldana S, Yao M, Midya V, Colicino E, Chatzi L, Chu J, Gennings C, Jones DP, Loos RJF, Setiawan VW, Smith MR, Walker RW, Barupal D, Walker DI, Valvi D. PFAS Exposures and the Human Metabolome: A Systematic Review of Epidemiological Studies. CURRENT POLLUTION REPORTS 2023; 9:510-568. [PMID: 37753190 PMCID: PMC10520990 DOI: 10.1007/s40726-023-00269-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Purpose of Review There is a growing interest in understanding the health effects of exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) through the study of the human metabolome. In this systematic review, we aimed to identify consistent findings between PFAS and metabolomic signatures. We conducted a search matching specific keywords that was independently reviewed by two authors on two databases (EMBASE and PubMed) from their inception through July 19, 2022 following PRISMA guidelines. Recent Findings We identified a total of 28 eligible observational studies that evaluated the associations between 31 different PFAS exposures and metabolomics in humans. The most common exposure evaluated was legacy long-chain PFAS. Population sample sizes ranged from 40 to 1,105 participants at different stages across the lifespan. A total of 19 studies used a non-targeted metabolomics approach, 7 used targeted approaches, and 2 included both. The majority of studies were cross-sectional (n = 25), including four with prospective analyses of PFAS measured prior to metabolomics. Summary Most frequently reported associations across studies were observed between PFAS and amino acids, fatty acids, glycerophospholipids, glycerolipids, phosphosphingolipids, bile acids, ceramides, purines, and acylcarnitines. Corresponding metabolic pathways were also altered, including lipid, amino acid, carbohydrate, nucleotide, energy metabolism, glycan biosynthesis and metabolism, and metabolism of cofactors and vitamins. We found consistent evidence across studies indicating PFAS-induced alterations in lipid and amino acid metabolites, which may be involved in energy and cell membrane disruption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra India-Aldana
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health,
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1057, New
York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Meizhen Yao
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health,
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1057, New
York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Vishal Midya
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health,
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1057, New
York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Elena Colicino
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health,
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1057, New
York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Leda Chatzi
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck
School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jaime Chu
- Department of Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount
Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Chris Gennings
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health,
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1057, New
York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Dean P. Jones
- Clinical Biomarkers Laboratory, Division of Pulmonary,
Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Ruth J. F. Loos
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health,
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1057, New
York, NY 10029, USA
- Charles Bronfman Institute for Personalized Medicine, Icahn
School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Novo Nordisk
Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen,
Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Veronica W. Setiawan
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck
School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Mathew Ryan Smith
- Clinical Biomarkers Laboratory, Division of Pulmonary,
Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Decatur, GA, USA
| | - Ryan W. Walker
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health,
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1057, New
York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Dinesh Barupal
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health,
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1057, New
York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Douglas I. Walker
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health,
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1057, New
York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Damaskini Valvi
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health,
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1057, New
York, NY 10029, USA
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6
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Basini G, Bussolati S, Torcianti V, Grasselli F. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) affects steroidogenesis and antioxidant defence in granulosa cells from swine ovary. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2023:104169. [PMID: 37286068 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2023.104169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
PFOA is mainly employed in products with water and oil repellent properties. Due to its persistence, bioaccumulation and critical effects on health, its use has been restricted in several countries. This research was intended to explore PFOA action on the main functions of swine ovarian granulosa cells, a valuable model for translational medicine. Moreover, since we previously demonstrated a disruptive effect on free radical generation we sought to explore PFOA effects on the main antioxidant enzymes. PFOA inhibited cell proliferation (p < 0.001), assessed by BrdU uptake. Steroidogenesis was disrupted: PFOA also stimulated 17β-estradiol production (p < 0.05), increased progesterone production (p < 0.05) at the lowest dose while it displayed an inhibitory effect at higher concentrations (p < 0.05). SOD (p < 0.001), catalase (p < 0.05) and peroxidase (p < 0.01) activities were stimulated. Therefore, our study supports a disruptive effect of PFOA in cultured swine granulosa cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppina Basini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Università di Parma, Via del Taglio 10, 43126, Parma, Italy.
| | - Simona Bussolati
- Dipartimento di Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Università di Parma, Via del Taglio 10, 43126, Parma, Italy
| | - Veronica Torcianti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Università di Parma, Via del Taglio 10, 43126, Parma, Italy
| | - Francesca Grasselli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Università di Parma, Via del Taglio 10, 43126, Parma, Italy
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7
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Liu ZJ, Liu YH, Huang SY, Wu CL, Zang ZJ. Effects of perfluorododecanoic acid on testicular function in mice. Toxicol Res (Camb) 2023; 12:408-416. [PMID: 37397916 PMCID: PMC10311133 DOI: 10.1093/toxres/tfad027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDoA) is a widely distributed environmental pollutant that can affect the functions of many organs. However, systematic evaluations of the effects of PFDoA on testicular functions are lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of PFDoA on mouse testicular functions, including spermatogenesis, testosterone synthesis, and stem Leydig cells (SLCs) in the interstitial tissue of the testis. PFDoA (0, 2, 5, 10 mg/kg/d) was administered via gavage to 2-month-old mice for 4 weeks. Serum hormone levels and sperm quality were assayed. Furthermore, to investigate the mechanisms by which PFDoA affects testosterone synthesis and spermatogenesis in vivo, the expression of StAR and P450scc in testicular tissue was measured by immunofluorescence staining and quantitative real-time PCR. In addition, the levels of SLC markers, including nestin and CD51, were studied. PFDoA decreased the luteinizing hormone concentration and sperm quality. Although the difference was not statistically significant, mean testosterone levels showed a downward trend. The expression of StAR, P450scc, CD51, and nestin was also suppressed in the PFDoA-treated groups compared with the control group. Our study suggested that PFDoA exposure can decrease testosterone biosynthesis, and even reduce the number of SLCs. These results indicated that PFDoA suppressed the main functions of testis, and further researches are required to identify strategies for preventing or reducing the effect of PFDoA on testicular function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuo-jie Liu
- Department of Infertility and Sexual Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Yong-hui Liu
- Department of Infertility and Sexual Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Sheng-yu Huang
- Department of Infertility and Sexual Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Cheng-lun Wu
- Department of Infertility and Sexual Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Zhi-Jun Zang
- Department of Infertility and Sexual Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China
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Gundacker C, Audouze K, Widhalm R, Granitzer S, Forsthuber M, Jornod F, Wielsøe M, Long M, Halldórsson TI, Uhl M, Bonefeld-Jørgensen EC. Reduced Birth Weight and Exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances: A Review of Possible Underlying Mechanisms Using the AOP-HelpFinder. TOXICS 2022; 10:toxics10110684. [PMID: 36422892 PMCID: PMC9699222 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10110684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) may impair fetal growth. Our knowledge of the underlying mechanisms is incomplete. We used the Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP)-helpFinder tool to search PubMed for studies published until March 2021 that examined PFAS exposure in relation to birth weight, oxidative stress, hormones/hormone receptors, or growth signaling pathways. Of these 1880 articles, 106 experimental studies remained after abstract screening. One clear finding is that PFAS are associated with oxidative stress in in vivo animal studies and in vitro studies. It appears that PFAS-induced reactive-oxygen species (ROS) generation triggers increased peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ expression and activation of growth signaling pathways, leading to hyperdifferentiation of pre-adipocytes. Fewer proliferating pre-adipocytes result in lower adipose tissue weight and in this way may reduce birth weight. PFAS may also impair fetal growth through endocrine effects. Estrogenic effects have been noted in in vivo and in vitro studies. Overall, data suggest thyroid-damaging effects of PFAS affecting thyroid hormones, thyroid hormone gene expression, and histology that are associated in animal studies with decreased body and organ weight. The effects of PFAS on the complex relationships between oxidative stress, endocrine system function, adipogenesis, and fetal growth should be further explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Gundacker
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +43-1-40160-56503
| | - Karine Audouze
- Unit T3S, Université Paris Cité, Inserm U1124, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Raimund Widhalm
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Sebastian Granitzer
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Martin Forsthuber
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Florence Jornod
- Unit T3S, Université Paris Cité, Inserm U1124, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Maria Wielsøe
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Manhai Long
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Thórhallur Ingi Halldórsson
- Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Iceland, 102 Reykjavík, Iceland
- Department of Epidemiology Research, Statens Serum Institut, 2300 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Maria Uhl
- Environment Agency Austria, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Eva Cecilie Bonefeld-Jørgensen
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
- Greenland Center for Health Research, Greenland University, Nuuk 3905, Greenland
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9
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Peng BX, Li F, Mortimer M, Xiao X, Ni Y, Lei Y, Li M, Guo LH. Perfluorooctanoic acid alternatives hexafluoropropylene oxides exert male reproductive toxicity by disrupting blood-testis barrier. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 846:157313. [PMID: 35842142 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
As alternatives to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), hexafluoropropylene oxide (HFPO) homologues, including hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA), hexafluoropropylene oxide trimer acid (HFPO-TA), and hexafluoropropylene oxide tetramer acid (HFPO-TeA), have attracted widespread attention recently due to their environmental ubiquity and high potential for bioaccumulation and toxicity. In the present study, a set of in vivo mouse and in vitro mouse testicular Sertoli TM4 cell experiments were employed to explore the male reproductive toxicity and underlying mechanisms of HFPO homologues on blood-testis barrier. Tissue and permeability analyses of mice testes after 28-day treatment with 5 mg/kg/day HFPO-DA or PFOA, or 0.05 mg/kg/day HFPO-TA or HFPO-TeA indicated that there was an increase in the degradation of TJ protein occludin in mice with a disrupted blood-testis barrier (BTB). Following exposure to 100 μM HFPO-DA, HFPO-TA or 10 μM PFOA, HFPO-TeA, transepithelial electrical resistance measurements of TM4 cells also indicated BTB disruption. Additionally, as a result of the exposure, matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression was enhanced through activation of p38 MAPK, which promoted the degradation of occludin. On the whole, the results indicated HFPO homologues and PFOA induced BTB disruption through upregulation of p-p38/p38 MAPK/MMP-9 pathway, which promoted the degradation of TJ protein occludin and caused the disruption of TJ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bi-Xia Peng
- College of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, China; Institute of Environmental and Health Sciences, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, China.
| | - Fangfang Li
- Institute of Environmental and Health Sciences, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, China; College of Quality and Safety Engineering, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, China.
| | - Monika Mortimer
- Institute of Environmental and Health Sciences, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, China; College of Quality and Safety Engineering, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, China.
| | - Xiang Xiao
- Center for Reproductive Health, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hangzhou Medical College, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310063, China.
| | - Ya Ni
- Center for Reproductive Health, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hangzhou Medical College, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310063, China
| | - Yuyang Lei
- College of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, China; Institute of Environmental and Health Sciences, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, China.
| | - Minjie Li
- College of Quality and Safety Engineering, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, China.
| | - Liang-Hong Guo
- Institute of Environmental and Health Sciences, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, China; College of Quality and Safety Engineering, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, China.
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10
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Beale DJ, Nguyen TV, Shah RM, Bissett A, Nahar A, Smith M, Gonzalez-Astudillo V, Braun C, Baddiley B, Vardy S. Host–Gut Microbiome Metabolic Interactions in PFAS-Impacted Freshwater Turtles (Emydura macquarii macquarii). Metabolites 2022; 12:metabo12080747. [PMID: 36005619 PMCID: PMC9415956 DOI: 10.3390/metabo12080747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a growing concern for humans, wildlife, and more broadly, ecosystem health. Previously, we characterised the microbial and biochemical impact of elevated PFAS on the gut microbiome of freshwater turtles (Emydura macquarii macquarii) within a contaminated catchment in Queensland, Australia. However, the understanding of PFAS impacts on this species and other aquatic organisms is still very limited, especially at the host–gut microbiome molecular interaction level. To this end, the present study aimed to apply these leading-edge omics technologies within an integrated framework that provides biological insight into the host turtle–turtle gut microbiome interactions of PFAS-impacted wild-caught freshwater turtles. For this purpose, faecal samples from PFAS-impacted turtles (n = 5) and suitable PFAS-free reference turtles (n = 5) were collected and analysed. Data from 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and metabolomic profiling of the turtle faeces were integrated using MetOrigin to assign host, microbiome, and co-metabolism activities. Significant variation in microbial composition was observed between the two turtle groups. The PFAS-impacted turtles showed a higher relative abundance of Firmicutes and a lower relative abundance of Bacteroidota than the reference turtles. The faecal metabolome showed several metabolites and pathways significantly affected by PFAS exposure. Turtles exposed to PFAS displayed altered amino acid and butanoate metabolisms, as well as altered purine and pyrimidine metabolism. It is predicted from this study that PFAS-impacted both the metabolism of the host turtle and its gut microbiota which in turn has the potential to influence the host’s physiology and health.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J. Beale
- Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-73-833-5774
| | - Thao V. Nguyen
- Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Rohan M. Shah
- Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Andrew Bissett
- Oceans and Atmosphere, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Battery Point, TAS 7004, Australia
| | - Akhikun Nahar
- Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Research and Innovation Park, Black Mountain, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Matthew Smith
- NCMI, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Battery Point, TAS 7004, Australia
| | | | - Christoph Braun
- Water Quality and Investigation, Science and Technology Division, Department of Environment and Science, Queensland Government, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Brenda Baddiley
- Water Quality and Investigation, Science and Technology Division, Department of Environment and Science, Queensland Government, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Suzanne Vardy
- Water Quality and Investigation, Science and Technology Division, Department of Environment and Science, Queensland Government, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia
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11
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Griffin EK, Aristizabal-Henao J, Timshina A, Ditz HL, Camacho CG, da Silva BF, Coker ES, Deliz Quiñones KY, Aufmuth J, Bowden JA. Assessment of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the Indian River Lagoon and Atlantic coast of Brevard County, FL, reveals distinct spatial clusters. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 301:134478. [PMID: 35367496 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) constitute a class of highly stable and extensively manufactured anthropogenic chemicals that have been linked to a variety of adverse health effects in humans and wildlife. These compounds are ubiquitously distributed in the environment and have been measured in aquatic systems globally. However, there are limited data on longitudinal comprehensive assessments of PFAS profiles within sensitive aquatic ecosystems. Surface water samples were collected from the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) and the Atlantic coast within Brevard County (BC), FL in December of 2019 (n = 57) and again from corresponding locations in February of 2021 (n = 40). Samples were analyzed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) to determine the occurrence, concentration, and distribution of 92 PFAS. No significant difference in total PFAS concentrations were identified between samples collected in 2019 (87 ng/L) and those collected in 2021 (77 ng/L). However, comparisons of PFAS among four natural sub-regions within Brevard County revealed site- and regional-specific differences. The Banana River exhibited the greatest concentration of total PFAS, followed by the southern Indian River, the northern Indian River, and then the Atlantic coast. Six distinct PFAS profiles were identified with the novel application of multivariate statistical cluster analysis, which may be useful for identifying potential sources of PFAS. Elevated total PFAS and unique compound mixtures identified in the Banana River are most likely a result of industrial discharge and extensive historical use of aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF). The environmental persistence of PFAS threatens key ecosystem services and the ecological homeostasis of the Indian River Lagoon - the most biologically diverse estuary in North America. Brevard County offers a unique model site that may be used to investigate potential exposure and health implications for wildlife and adjacent coastal communities, which could be extrapolated to better understand and manage other critical coastal systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily K Griffin
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA, 32611.
| | | | - Alina Timshina
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA, 32611.
| | - Heather L Ditz
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA, 32611.
| | - Camden G Camacho
- Department of Chemistry, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States.
| | - Bianca F da Silva
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA, 32611.
| | - Eric S Coker
- College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA, 32611.
| | - Katherine Y Deliz Quiñones
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA, 32611.
| | - Joe Aufmuth
- George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA, 32611.
| | - John A Bowden
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA, 32611.
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12
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Boyd RI, Ahmad S, Singh R, Fazal Z, Prins GS, Madak Erdogan Z, Irudayaraj J, Spinella MJ. Toward a Mechanistic Understanding of Poly- and Perfluoroalkylated Substances and Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14122919. [PMID: 35740585 PMCID: PMC9220899 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14122919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Poly- and perfluoroalkylated substances (PFAS) are industrial chemicals found in many household products that persist in the environment. While several excellent review articles exist on the potential harmful effects of PFAS, there are few focused on cancer. This concise and streamlined mini-review focuses on summarizing molecular mechanisms related to the potential cancer-promoting properties of PFAS. This review organizes and interprets the vast primary PFAS cancer biology literature and provides a coherent, unified, and digestible model of the molecular mechanisms that potentially explains PFAS cancer promotion. Abstract Poly- and perfluoroalkylated substances (PFAS) are chemicals that persist and bioaccumulate in the environment and are found in nearly all human populations through several routes of exposure. Human occupational and community exposure to PFAS has been associated with several cancers, including cancers of the kidney, testis, prostate, and liver. While evidence suggests that PFAS are not directly mutagenic, many diverse mechanisms of carcinogenicity have been proposed. In this mini-review, we organize these mechanisms into three major proposed pathways of PFAS action—metabolism, endocrine disruption, and epigenetic perturbation—and discuss how these distinct but interdependent pathways may explain many of the proposed pro-carcinogenic effects of the PFAS class of environmental contaminants. Notably, each of the pathways is predicted to be highly sensitive to the dose and window of exposure which may, in part, explain the variable epidemiologic and experimental evidence linking PFAS and cancer. We highlight testicular and prostate cancer as models to validate this concept.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raya I. Boyd
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61802, USA; (R.I.B.); (R.S.); (Z.F.)
| | - Saeed Ahmad
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; (S.A.); (J.I.)
| | - Ratnakar Singh
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61802, USA; (R.I.B.); (R.S.); (Z.F.)
| | - Zeeshan Fazal
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61802, USA; (R.I.B.); (R.S.); (Z.F.)
| | - Gail S. Prins
- Departments of Urology, Pathology and Physiology, College of Medicine, Chicago Center for Health and Environment, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA;
| | - Zeynep Madak Erdogan
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA;
- Institute of Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Beckman Institute of Technology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Joseph Irudayaraj
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; (S.A.); (J.I.)
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA;
- Institute of Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Beckman Institute of Technology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Michael J. Spinella
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61802, USA; (R.I.B.); (R.S.); (Z.F.)
- Institute of Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Correspondence:
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13
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Huang Q, Luo L, Han X, Li F, Zhang X, Tian M. Low-dose perfluorooctanoic acid stimulates steroid hormone synthesis in Leydig cells: Integrated proteomics and metabolomics evidence. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 424:127656. [PMID: 34774353 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), one of the well-known perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), has been widespread in the environment and associated with male reproductive toxicity. However, the molecular mechanism involved in low-level PFOA-induced male endocrine disruption remains to be elucidated. In this study, we performed a combined proteomics and metabolomics analysis to investigate the proteomic and metabolic alterations in MLTC-1 Leydig cells responsive to low levels of PFOA exposure. The results showed that PFOA significantly regulated the expressions of 67 proteins and 17 metabolites, among which 18 proteins and 7 metabolites were specifically tied to lipid and fatty acid metabolism as well as testicular steroidogenesis. It is further suggested that low-dose PFOA stimulates steroid hormone synthesis by accelerating fatty acid metabolism and steroidogenic process, which is involved in the repression of p38 and cAMP-dependent ERK signaling pathway. The animal studies also revealed that environmentally relevant levels of PFOA increased serum steroid hormone levels accompanied by the activated cAMP and inhibited p38/ERK pathway in testis, which confirmed our in vitro findings. Overall, the present study will provide novel insights into the toxicological mechanisms of low-level PFOA-mediated steroidogenic disturbance, and may implicate the reproductive health risk of humans with environmental PFOA exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingyu Huang
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China.
| | - Lianzhong Luo
- Xiamen Key Laboratory of Marine Biomedicine Resources, Xiamen Medical College, Xiamen 361023, China
| | - Xuejingping Han
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Fuping Li
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Xi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Meiping Tian
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
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14
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Wang J, Zhang J, Fan Y, Li Z, Tao C, Yan W, Niu R, Huang Y, Xu Q, Wang X, Xu Q, Han L, Lu C. Association between per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and risk of gestational diabetes mellitus. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2021; 240:113904. [PMID: 34915280 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2021.113904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Existing evidence suggests that perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) exposure might contribute to the incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). This study aimed to perform a meta-analysis to identify the association between PFAS and the risk of GDM. METHODS We systematically searched PubMed, Ovid, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases for appropriate articles about the association between PFASs exposure and the risk of GDM before September 28, 2020. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were summarized by Stata 16.0 through fixed effect models according to heterogeneity. We also carried out subgroup analyses by geographic location, blood sampling time of subjects, method of chemical analysis, study design, sample size, and sampling year. In addition, a sensitivity analysis was conducted to explore the robustness of the results. RESULTS A total of eight studies involving 5654 pregnant women were included in the meta-analysis. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) exposure was positively and significantly associated with the risk of GDM (OR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.02-1.59). Exposure to other types of PFASs such as perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) was not statistically significantly associated with the risk of GDM with the pooled effect estimates of 0.97 (95% CI: 0.86-1.09), 1.03 (95% CI: 0.86-1.24), and 0.80 (95% CI: 0.55-1.16) respectively. CONCLUSION We conducted a meta-analysis to investigate the association between PFASs exposure and GDM and found that PFOA concentration was significantly associated with a higher risk of GDM, which is of great significance for the prevention and control of GDM in public health. Further studies are needed in order to establish causality and clarify the potential mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinghan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Jiangsu Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Yun Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Zhi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Chengzhe Tao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Wenkai Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Rui Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Yuna Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Qiaoqiao Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Xinru Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Qiujin Xu
- Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Li Han
- Department of Obstetrics, Huai-An First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China.
| | - Chuncheng Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
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15
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Khezri MR, Ghasemnejad-Berenji M, Mahboubi N. The probable mechanism of reduced androgen level in COVID-19 patients. Horm Mol Biol Clin Investig 2021; 43:hmbci-2021-0052. [PMID: 34674407 DOI: 10.1515/hmbci-2021-0052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2, has challenged the health care systems of the world. Although the pulmonary complications of the infection have received extensive attention, addressing the other complications (e.g., changes in androgen levels) could further provide a more efficient understanding of the disease, which might aid in combating it. Since the association between androgens and the expression and activity of SARS-CoV-2 receptors has been proven and anti-androgen-based therapies have been considered in this regard, addressing various aspects of androgen level changes can be constructive. The present paper examines the possible mechanisms of changes in androgen levels by the virus. It seems that the infection of the gonads by the SARS-CoV-2 could reduce the androgen levels by affecting different cellular pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Rafi Khezri
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Morteza Ghasemnejad-Berenji
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
- Research Center for Experimental and Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Negin Mahboubi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
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16
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Ješeta M, Navrátilová J, Franzová K, Fialková S, Kempisty B, Ventruba P, Žáková J, Crha I. Overview of the Mechanisms of Action of Selected Bisphenols and Perfluoroalkyl Chemicals on the Male Reproductive Axes. Front Genet 2021; 12:692897. [PMID: 34646297 PMCID: PMC8502804 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.692897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Male fertility has been deteriorating worldwide for considerable time, with the greatest deterioration recorded mainly in the United States, Europe countries, and Australia. That is, especially in countries where an abundance of chemicals called endocrine disruptors has repeatedly been reported, both in the environment and in human matrices. Human exposure to persistent and non-persistent chemicals is ubiquitous and associated with endocrine-disrupting effects. This group of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC) can act as agonists or antagonists of hormone receptors and can thus significantly affect a number of physiological processes. It can even negatively affect human reproduction with an impact on the development of gonads and gametogenesis, fertilization, and the subsequent development of embryos. The negative effects of endocrine disruptors on sperm gametogenesis and male fertility in general have been investigated and repeatedly demonstrated in experimental and epidemiological studies. Male reproduction is affected by endocrine disruptors via their effect on testicular development, impact on estrogen and androgen receptors, potential epigenetic effect, production of reactive oxygen species or direct effect on spermatozoa and other cells of testicular tissue. Emerging scientific evidence suggests that the increasing incidence of male infertility is associated with the exposure to persistent and non-persistent endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as bisphenols and perfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFAS). These chemicals may impact men’s fertility through various mechanisms. This study provides an overview of the mechanisms of action common to persistent (PFAS) and nonpersistent (bisphenols) EDC on male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Ješeta
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine Masaryk University and University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czechia.,Department of Veterinary Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czechia
| | - Jana Navrátilová
- RECETOX Centre, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
| | - Kateřina Franzová
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine Masaryk University and University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czechia
| | - Sandra Fialková
- RECETOX Centre, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
| | - Bartozs Kempisty
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.,Department of Anatomy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.,Department of Veterinary Medicine, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun, Poland.,Prestage Department of Poultry Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Pavel Ventruba
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine Masaryk University and University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czechia
| | - Jana Žáková
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine Masaryk University and University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czechia
| | - Igor Crha
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine Masaryk University and University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czechia.,Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
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17
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Chen T, Belladelli F, Del Giudice F, Eisenberg ML. Male fertility as a marker for health. Reprod Biomed Online 2021; 44:131-144. [PMID: 34848151 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2021.09.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Male reproduction is a complex biological process, and male factor infertility is increasingly recognized as a biomarker for overall male health. Emerging data suggest associations between male reproduction and medical disease (genetic, infectious, chronic comorbid conditions), psychological disease, environmental exposures, dietary habits, medications and substances of abuse, and even socioeconomic factors. There is also evidence that a diagnosis of male fertility is associated with future disease risk including cancer, metabolic disease and mortality. As such, there is a growing view that the male fertility evaluation is an opportunity to improve a man's health beyond his immediate reproductive goals, and also highlights the necessity of a multidisciplinary approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tony Chen
- Center for Academic Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto CA, USA.
| | | | | | - Michael L Eisenberg
- Center for Academic Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto CA, USA
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18
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Giovanni SM, Letizia AAM, Chiara M, Vincenzo S, Erika P, Marta S. The Male Reproductive System and Endocrine Disruptors. Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets 2021; 22:686-703. [PMID: 34607552 DOI: 10.2174/1871530321666211004100633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The male reproductive system is exposed to a great number of chemical substances which can interfere with the normal hormonal milieu and reproductive function; these are called endocrine disruptors (EDs). Despite a growing number of studies evaluating the negative effects of EDs, their production is continuously growing although some of which have been prohibited. The prevalence of poor semen quality, hypospadias, cryptorchidism, and testicular cancer have increased in the last decades, and recently, it has been postulated that these could all be part of a unique syndrome called testicular dysgenesis syndrome. This syndrome could be related to exposure to a number of EDs which cause imbalances in the hormonal milieu and oestrogenic over-exposure during the foetal stage. The same EDs can also impair spermatogenesis in offspring and have epigenetic effects. Although studies on animal and in vitro models have raised concerns, data are conflicting. However, these studies must be considered as the basis for future research to promote male reproductive health.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Maneschi Chiara
- Department of Internal Medicine, Villa Salus Hospital, Mestre (VE). Italy
| | - Sciabica Vincenzo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Villa Salus Hospital, Mestre (VE). Italy
| | - Pigatto Erika
- Department of Internal Medicine, Villa Salus Hospital, Mestre (VE). Italy
| | - Sanna Marta
- Department of Internal Medicine, Villa Salus Hospital, Mestre (VE). Italy
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Luo K, Liu X, Nian M, Wang Y, Qiu J, Yu H, Chen X, Zhang J. Environmental exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances mixture and male reproductive hormones. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 152:106496. [PMID: 33744484 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous epidemiological studies on the relationship between per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure and male reproductive hormones were mainly limited to a few legacy PFAS and ignored the possible mixture effects. OBJECTIVES To assess the associations of PFAS mixture, branched isomers and emerging alternatives of PFAS with male reproductive hormones. METHODS A total of 902 men (mean age: 31.3 years) were recruited in this cross-sectional study. We quantified 24 targeted PFAS, including 7 branched PFOS isomers, 2 branched PFOA isomers and 2 components of F-53B, in blood plasma. Five reproductive hormones, including total testosterone (TT), estradiol (E2), follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and insulin like factor 3 (INSL3), and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were measured in serum. Associations were first assessed by confounder-adjusted multiple linear regression while correcting for multiple comparisons. Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) and adaptive elastic net (AENET) were further used to assess mixture effects and the adjusted exposure response (ER) relationship of individual PFAS. RESULTS After adjusting for confounders, we found that PFAS mixture was significantly and inversely associated with E2 and E2/TT, with perfluoro-n-undecanoic acid (PFuDA) being the major contributor. Although the associations between PFAS mixture and other hormones were non-significant, certain individual PFAS presented significant associations. Notably, perfluoro-n-tridecanoic acid (PFTrDA) and perfluoro-n-dodecanoic acid (PFDoA) were found to be significantly and inversely associated with INSL3, a unique indicator of Leydig cells function. Meanwhile, significant positive associations were found between perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS) and FSH and between PFuDA and LH. But the associations with branched isomers or F-53B were sporadic and inconsistent. CONCLUSIONS Our findings provided the evidence that PFAS mixture may reduce E2 level, and certain PFAS (i.e., PFTrDA and PFDoA) may have negative effects on Leydig cells function among young men. Additional studies are much needed to confirm our results and elucidate potential mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Luo
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Xiaotu Liu
- School of Environment, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Exposure and Health, and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Min Nian
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yuqing Wang
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Jin Qiu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200135, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai 200135, China; Shanghai Human Sperm Bank, Shanghai 200135, China
| | - Hao Yu
- School of Environment, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Exposure and Health, and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Xiangfeng Chen
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200135, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai 200135, China; Shanghai Human Sperm Bank, Shanghai 200135, China.
| | - Jun Zhang
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China.
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20
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Wang Z, Zhang T, Wu J, Wei X, Xu A, Wang S, Wang Z. Male reproductive toxicity of perfluorooctanoate (PFOA): Rodent studies. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 270:128608. [PMID: 33081999 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 10/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is an artificial organic substance widely used for decades, which seriously threatens human health. This study aimed to identify human-relevant correlates between PFOA exposure and the male rodent reproductive system. We performed a systematic literature review of the relevant literature of PubMed, Cochrane Library databases, Web of Science and Embase from the establishment to April 2020. Studies included the effects of PFOA on the reproductive system of male rodents. The meta-analysis was performed on the basis of the following points: level of testosterone and estradiol in serum, development of reproductive organs, pathological changes of reproduction organs and parameters of semen. A series of 16 studies was enrolled in this study. The standard mean difference (SMD) for PFOA-related reproductive toxicity was summarised as -0.39 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.71, -0.07). The lower serum testosterone levels, decreased absolute testicular and epididymal weights, higher serum estradiol levels, elevated relative testicular and seminal vesicle weights and increased incidence of Leydig cell adenoma and percentage of abnormal sperm were observed in the exposed group compared with the control group. However, no statistical difference was found in the day of preputial separation of pups and percentage of motile sperm. In conclusion, PFOA exposure heightens the reproductive system damage in male rodents. However, many studies included in the review did not identify mechanisms by which PFOA induces changes to the male reproductive system, which is an area for additional study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongyuan Wang
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No. 300, Guangzhou Street, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210029, China
| | - Tongtong Zhang
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No. 300, Guangzhou Street, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210029, China
| | - Jiajin Wu
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No. 300, Guangzhou Street, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210029, China
| | - Xiyi Wei
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No. 300, Guangzhou Street, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210029, China
| | - Aiming Xu
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No. 300, Guangzhou Street, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210029, China.
| | - Shangqian Wang
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No. 300, Guangzhou Street, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210029, China.
| | - Zengjun Wang
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No. 300, Guangzhou Street, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210029, China.
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21
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Tarapore P, Ouyang B. Perfluoroalkyl Chemicals and Male Reproductive Health: Do PFOA and PFOS Increase Risk for Male Infertility? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18073794. [PMID: 33916482 PMCID: PMC8038605 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18073794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are manmade synthetic chemicals which have been in existence for over 70 years. Though they are currently being phased out, their persistence in the environment is widespread. There is increasing evidence linking PFAS exposure to health effects, an issue of concern since PFAS such as perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) bioaccumulate in humans, with a half-life of years. Many epidemiological studies suggest that, worldwide, semen quality has decreased over the past several decades. One of the most worrying effects of PFOS and PFOA is their associations with lower testosterone levels, similar to clinical observations in infertile men. This review thus focuses on PFOS/PFOA-associated effects on male reproductive health. The sources of PFAS in drinking water are listed. The current epidemiological studies linking increased exposure to PFAS with lowered testosterone and semen quality, and evidence from rodent studies supporting their function as endocrine disruptors on the reproductive system, exhibiting non-monotonic dose responses, are noted. Finally, their mechanisms of action and possible toxic effects on the Leydig, Sertoli, and germ cells are discussed. Future research efforts must consider utilizing better human model systems for exposure, using more accurate PFAS exposure susceptibility windows, and improvements in statistical modeling of data to account for the endocrine disruptor properties of PFAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pheruza Tarapore
- Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA;
- Center of Environmental Genetics, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
- Cincinnati Cancer Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +1-513-558-5148
| | - Bin Ouyang
- Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA;
- Center of Environmental Genetics, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
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22
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Owumi SE, Akomolafe AP, Imosemi IO, Odunola OA, Oyelere AK. N-acetyl cysteine co-treatment abates perfluorooctanoic acid-induced reproductive toxicity in male rats. Andrologia 2021; 53:e14037. [PMID: 33724529 DOI: 10.1111/and.14037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Perfluorooctanoic acid is a synthetic perfluoroalkyl-persistent in the environment and toxic to humans. N-acetylcysteine is a pro-drug of both amino acid l-cysteine and glutathione-a non-enzymatic antioxidant. N-acetylcysteine serves as an antidote for paracetamol poisoning and alleviates cellular oxidative and inflammatory stressors. We investigated N-acetylcysteine role against reproductive toxicity in male Wistar rats (weight: 140-220 g; 10 weeks old) posed by perfluorooctanoic acid exposure. Randomised rat cohorts were dosed both with perfluorooctanoic acid (5 mg/kg; p.o) or co-dosed with N-acetylcysteine (25 and 50 mg/kg p.o) for 28 days. Sperm physiognomies, biomarkers of testicular function and reproductive hormones, oxidative stress and inflammation were evaluated. Co-treatment with N-acetylcysteine significantly (p < .05) reversed perfluorooctanoic acid-mediated decreases in reproductive enzyme activities, and adverse effect on testosterone, luteinising and follicle-stimulating hormone concentrations. N-acetylcysteine treatment alone, improved sperm motility, count and viability, and reduced total sperm abnormalities. Co-treatment with N-acetylcysteine mitigated perfluorooctanoic acid-induced alterations in sperm function parameters. N-acetylcysteine abated (p < .05) perfluorooctanoic acid-induced oxidative stress in experimental rats testes and epididymis, and generally improved antioxidant enzyme activities and cellular thiol levels. Furthermore, N-acetylcysteine suppressed inflammatory responses and remedied perfluorooctanoic acid-mediated histological injuries in rat. Cooperatively, N-acetylcysteine enhanced reproductive function in perfluorooctanoic acid dosed rats, by lessening oxidative and nitrative stressors and mitigated inflammatory responses in the examined organ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solomon E Owumi
- Change-Lab, CRMB Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Ayomide P Akomolafe
- Change-Lab, CRMB Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Innocent O Imosemi
- Neuroanatomy Research Laboratories, Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Oyeronke A Odunola
- Change-Lab, CRMB Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Adegboyega K Oyelere
- School of Biochemistry and Chemistry, Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
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23
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Khan EA, Zhang X, Hanna EM, Yadetie F, Jonassen I, Goksøyr A, Arukwe A. Application of quantitative transcriptomics in evaluating the ex vivo effects of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances on Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) ovarian physiology. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 755:142904. [PMID: 33138996 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Because of their global consumption and persistence, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), are ubiquitously distributed in the environment, as well as in wildlife and humans. In the present study, we have employed an ex vivo organ culture technique, based on the floating agarose method, of Atlantic cod ovarian tissue to investigate the effects of three different concentrations of PFOS, PFOA (1, 5 and 25 μM) and PFNA (0.5, 5 and 50 μM), used singly and in also in combination (1×, 20× and 100×). In the 1× exposure mixture, concentrations were decided based on their proportional levels (in molar equivalents) relative to PFOS, which is the most abundant PFAS in cod liver from a 2013 screening project. To investigate the detailed underlying mechanisms and biological processes, transcriptome sequencing was performed on exposed ovarian tissue. The number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) having at least 0.75 log2-fold change was elevated in high, compared to low and medium concentration exposures. The highest PFNA, PFOA and PFOS concentrations, and the highest (100×) mixture exposure, showed 40, 68, 1295, and 802 DEGs, respectively. The latter two exposure groups shared a maximum of 438 DEGs. In addition, they both shared the majority of functionally enriched pathways belonging to biological processes such as cellular signaling, cell adhesion, lipid metabolism, immunological responses, cancer, reproduction and metabolism. Shortlisted DEGs that were specifically annotated to reproduction associated gene ontology (GO) terms were observed only in the highest PFOS and mixture exposure groups. These transcripts contributed to ovarian key events such as steroidogenesis (star, cyp19a1a), oocyte growth (amh), maturation (igfbp5b, tgfβ2, tgfβ3), and ovulation (pgr, mmp2). Contrary to other PFAS congeners, the highest PFOS concentration showed almost similar transcript expression patterns compared to the highest mixture exposure group. This indicates that PFOS is the active component of the mixture that significantly altered the normal functioning of female gonads, and possibly leading to serious reproductive consequences in teleosts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Xiaokang Zhang
- Computational Biology Unit, Department of Informatics, University of Bergen, Norway
| | - Eileen Marie Hanna
- Computational Biology Unit, Department of Informatics, University of Bergen, Norway
| | - Fekadu Yadetie
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, Norway
| | - Inge Jonassen
- Computational Biology Unit, Department of Informatics, University of Bergen, Norway
| | - Anders Goksøyr
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, Norway
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24
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Xie X, Weng X, Liu S, Chen J, Guo X, Gao X, Fei Q, Hao G, Jing C, Feng L. Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl substance exposure and association with sex hormone concentrations: Results from the NHANES 2015-2016. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES EUROPE 2021; 33:69. [PMID: 36061407 PMCID: PMC9440377 DOI: 10.1186/s12302-021-00508-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is increasing global concern regarding the health impacts of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are emerging environmental endocrine disruptors. Results from previous epidemiological studies on the associations between PFAS exposure and sex hormone levels are inconsistent. OBJECTIVE We examined the associations between serum PFAS compounds (PFDeA, PFHxS, PFNA, PFOA, PFOS) and sex hormones, including total testosterone (TT), free testosterone (FT), estrogen (E), and serum hormone binding globulin (SHBG). RESULTS After adjusting for potential confounders, PFDeA, PFOS, and PFHxS exposures were significantly associated with increased serum testosterone concentrations in males. PFDeA, PFOA, and PFOS exposures were positively correlated with FT levels in 20-49 years old women while PFOS exposure was negatively associated with TT levels in 12-19 years old girls. PFAS exposure was negatively associated with estradiol levels including: PFDeA in all females, PFHxS, PFNA, PFOS, and PFOA in 12-19 years old girls, PFNA in women above 50 years old, and PFOA in 12-19 years old boys while PFDeA and PFOS exposures were positively associated with estradiol levels in these boys. n-PFOS exposure was positively associated with SHBG levels in men older than 20 and in all females. CONCLUSIONS Using a large cohort of males and females aged from 12-80, we found that PFAS exposure appears to disrupt sex hormones in a gender-, age-, and compound-specific manner. Future work is warranted to clarify the causality and mechanisms involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Xie
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No.601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Xueqiong Weng
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No.601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Shan Liu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No.601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Jingmin Chen
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No.601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Xinrong Guo
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No.601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Xinyu Gao
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No.601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Qiaoyuan Fei
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No.601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Guang Hao
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No.601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Chunxia Jing
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No.601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Exposure and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Liping Feng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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Calvert L, Green MP, De Iuliis GN, Dun MD, Turner BD, Clarke BO, Eamens AL, Roman SD, Nixon B. Assessment of the Emerging Threat Posed by Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances to Male Reproduction in Humans. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:799043. [PMID: 35356147 PMCID: PMC8959433 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.799043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Per-fluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a diverse group of synthetic fluorinated chemicals used widely in industry and consumer products. Due to their extensive use and chemical stability, PFAS are ubiquitous environmental contaminants and as such, form an emerging risk factor for male reproductive health. The long half-lives of PFAS is of particular concern as the propensity to accumulate in biological systems prolong the time taken for excretion, taking years in many cases. Accordingly, there is mounting evidence supporting a negative association between PFAS exposure and an array of human health conditions. However, inconsistencies among epidemiological and experimental findings have hindered the ability to definitively link negative reproductive outcomes to specific PFAS exposure. This situation highlights the requirement for further investigation and the identification of reliable biological models that can inform health risks, allowing sensitive assessment of the spectrum of effects of PFAS exposure on humans. Here, we review the literature on the biological effects of PFAS exposure, with a specific focus on male reproduction, owing to its utility as a sentinel marker of general health. Indeed, male infertility has increasingly been shown to serve as an early indicator of a range of co-morbidities such as coronary, inflammatory, and metabolic diseases. It follows that adverse associations have been established between PFAS exposure and the incidence of testicular dysfunction, including pathologies such as testicular cancer and a reduction in semen quality. We also give consideration to the mechanisms that render the male reproductive tract vulnerable to PFAS mediated damage, and discuss novel remediation strategies to mitigate the negative impact of PFAS contamination and/or to ameliorate the PFAS load of exposed individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah Calvert
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Newcastle NSW, Australia
| | - Mark P. Green
- School of BioSciences, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Geoffry N. De Iuliis
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Newcastle NSW, Australia
| | - Matthew D. Dun
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Newcastle NSW, Australia
- Cancer Signalling Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Brett D. Turner
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Geotechnical Science and Engineering, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Bradley O. Clarke
- Australian Laboratory for Emerging Contaminants, School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Andrew L. Eamens
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Newcastle NSW, Australia
| | - Shaun D. Roman
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Newcastle NSW, Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Drug Development, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Brett Nixon
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Newcastle NSW, Australia
- *Correspondence: Brett Nixon,
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Liang H, Wang Z, Miao M, Tian Y, Zhou Y, Wen S, Chen Y, Sun X, Yuan W. Prenatal exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances and thyroid hormone concentrations in cord plasma in a Chinese birth cohort. Environ Health 2020; 19:127. [PMID: 33243245 PMCID: PMC7690128 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-020-00679-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence of associations between prenatal exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and fetal thyroid hormones (THs) is controversial, and few studies have estimated the associations, while addressing the high correlations among multiple PFASs. We aimed to examine the associations between prenatal PFAS exposure and thyroid hormone concentrations in cord blood. METHODS A total of 300 mother-infant pairs from the Shanghai-Minhang Birth Cohort Study were included. We measured the concentrations of eight PFASs in maternal plasma samples collected at 12-16 gestational weeks, as well as those of total thyroxine (T4), free T4 (FT4), total triiodothyronine (T3), free T3 (FT3), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in cord plasma. We estimated the associations between maternal PFAS concentrations and TH concentrations using linear regression and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models. RESULTS In BKMR models, higher PFAS mixture concentrations were associated with increased T3 concentrations, and there were suggestive associations with increased FT3 concentrations. For single-exposure effects in BKMR models, a change in PFDA, PFUdA, and PFOA concentrations from the 25th to 75th percentile was associated with a 0.04 (95%CrI: - 0.01, 0.09), 0.02 (95%CrI: - 0.03, 0.07), and 0.03 (95%CrI: - 0.001, 0.06) nmol/L increase in T3 concentrations, respectively. PFOA, PFNA, and PFDA were the predominant compounds in PFASs-FT3 associations, and the corresponding estimates were 0.11 (95% CrI: 0.02, 0.19), - 0.17 (95% CrI: - 0.28, - 0.07), and 0.12 (95% CrI: - 0.004, 0.24) pmol/L, respectively. A change in PFNA and PFOA concentrations from the 25th to 75th percentile was associated with a - 1.69 (95% CrI: - 2.98, - 0.41) μIU/mL decrease and a 1.51 (95% CrI: 0.48, 2.55) μIU/mL increase in TSH concentrations. The associations of PFOA and PFNA with T3/FT3 were more pronounced in boys, while those with TSH were more pronounced in girls. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that prenatal exposure to multiple PFASs was associated with thyroid hormones in cord blood. However, individual PFAS had varied effects-differing in magnitude and direction-on fetal thyroid hormones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Liang
- Department of Social Medicine and Reproductive Epidemiology, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Fudan University, #779 Lao Hu Min Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Ziliang Wang
- Department of Social Medicine and Reproductive Epidemiology, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Fudan University, #779 Lao Hu Min Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Maohua Miao
- Department of Social Medicine and Reproductive Epidemiology, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Fudan University, #779 Lao Hu Min Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Youping Tian
- National Management Office of Neonatal Screening Project for CHD, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, 399 Wanyuan Road, Shanghai, 201102, China
| | - Yan Zhou
- National Reference Laboratory of Dioxin, Institute of Health Inspection and Detection, Hubei Provincial Academy of Preventive Medicine, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, #6 Zhuo Daoquan North Road, Wuhan, 430079, China
| | - Sheng Wen
- National Reference Laboratory of Dioxin, Institute of Health Inspection and Detection, Hubei Provincial Academy of Preventive Medicine, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, #6 Zhuo Daoquan North Road, Wuhan, 430079, China
| | - Yao Chen
- Department of Social Medicine and Reproductive Epidemiology, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Fudan University, #779 Lao Hu Min Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xiaowei Sun
- Department of Social Medicine and Reproductive Epidemiology, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Fudan University, #779 Lao Hu Min Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Wei Yuan
- Department of Social Medicine and Reproductive Epidemiology, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Fudan University, #779 Lao Hu Min Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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Cui Q, Pan Y, Wang J, Liu H, Yao B, Dai J. Exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in serum versus semen and their association with male reproductive hormones. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 266:115330. [PMID: 32781340 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Given that per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) exhibit different distribution in the serum and semen of adult men, improving our understanding of the predictors of PFAS concentrations in paired serum and semen samples from an individual is essential. Here, we investigated and compared the effects of emerging and legacy PFAS concentrations in serum and semen on reproductive hormone levels in serum within a Chinese adult male population. We explored the relationships among perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), perfluorononanoate (PFNA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), and chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonate (6:2 Cl-PFESA) in serum and semen with reproductive hormones in serum among 651 adult men from Nanjing, China. Significant relationships among all analyzed serum and semen PFASs and decreased total testosterone (total T) were found. Serum and semen PFOA levels were associated with significant decreases in free T. Furthermore, the levels of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were significantly decreased in association with PFNA, PFOS, and 6:2 Cl-PFESA exposure. Negative relationships between the total T/luteinizing hormone (LH) ratio and semen concentrations of selected PFASs were also observed. After adjustment of PFAS concentrations (in both semen and serum), stronger associations of PFASs with total T, free T, estradiol (E2), SHBG, and total T/LH were observed in semen than in serum. We found that 84.8% of the associations between serum PFOA with total T were mediated by semen PFOA. Thus, elevated PFAS exposure may have negative effects on male reproductive health, and semen PFAS may be a better exposure indicator for the male reproductive system than serum PFAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianqian Cui
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Yitao Pan
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Jinghua Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Hongxiu Liu
- School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430000, Hubei, China
| | - Bing Yao
- Reproductive Medical Center, Nanjing Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University, School of Medicine, Nanjing, 210002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jiayin Dai
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
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Ding N, Harlow SD, Randolph Jr JF, Loch-Caruso R, Park SK. Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and their effects on the ovary. Hum Reprod Update 2020; 26:724-752. [PMID: 32476019 PMCID: PMC7456353 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmaa018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are found widespread in drinking water, foods, food packaging materials and other consumer products. Several PFAS have been identified as endocrine-disrupting chemicals based on their ability to interfere with normal reproductive function and hormonal signalling. Experimental models and epidemiologic studies suggest that PFAS exposures target the ovary and represent major risks for women's health. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE This review summarises human population and toxicological studies on the association between PFAS exposure and ovarian function. SEARCH METHODS A comprehensive review was performed by searching PubMed. Search terms included an extensive list of PFAS and health terms ranging from general keywords (e.g. ovarian, reproductive, follicle, oocyte) to specific keywords (including menarche, menstrual cycle, menopause, primary ovarian insufficiency/premature ovarian failure, steroid hormones), based on the authors' knowledge of the topic and key terms. OUTCOMES Clinical evidence demonstrates the presence of PFAS in follicular fluid and their ability to pass through the blood-follicle barrier. Although some studies found no evidence associating PFAS exposure with disruption in ovarian function, numerous epidemiologic studies, mostly with cross-sectional study designs, have identified associations of higher PFAS exposure with later menarche, irregular menstrual cycles, longer cycle length, earlier age of menopause and reduced levels of oestrogens and androgens. Adverse effects of PFAS on ovarian folliculogenesis and steroidogenesis have been confirmed in experimental models. Based on laboratory research findings, PFAS could diminish ovarian reserve and reduce endogenous hormone synthesis through activating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, disrupting gap junction intercellular communication between oocyte and granulosa cells, inducing thyroid hormone deficiency, antagonising ovarian enzyme activities involved in ovarian steroidogenesis or inhibiting kisspeptin signalling in the hypothalamus. WIDER IMPLICATIONS The published literature supports associations between PFAS exposure and adverse reproductive outcomes; however, the evidence remains insufficient to infer a causal relationship between PFAS exposure and ovarian disorders. Thus, more research is warranted. PFAS are of significant concern because these chemicals are ubiquitous and persistent in the environment and in humans. Moreover, susceptible groups, such as foetuses and pregnant women, may be exposed to harmful combinations of chemicals that include PFAS. However, the role environmental exposures play in reproductive disorders has received little attention by the medical community. To better understand the potential risk of PFAS on human ovarian function, additional experimental studies using PFAS doses equivalent to the exposure levels found in the general human population and mixtures of compounds are required. Prospective investigations in human populations are also warranted to ensure the temporality of PFAS exposure and health endpoints and to minimise the possibility of reverse causality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Ding
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Siobán D Harlow
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - John F Randolph Jr
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Rita Loch-Caruso
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Sung Kyun Park
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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Ren Y, Jin L, Yang F, Liang H, Zhang Z, Du J, Song X, Miao M, Yuan W. Concentrations of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances and blood glucose in pregnant women. Environ Health 2020; 19:88. [PMID: 32807188 PMCID: PMC7433207 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-020-00640-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence on the association between exposure to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and blood glucose concentrations in pregnant women is inconsistent. This study aimed to examine the association between PFAS exposure and the concentrations of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and one-hour plasma glucose (1 h-PG) after a 50-g oral glucose tolerance test in pregnant women. METHODS The study was based on the Shanghai-Minhang Birth Cohort, in which 1292 pregnant women were recruited. Among them, 981 women provided blood samples (at 12-16 gestational weeks) for PFAS measurement. FPG data collected from 856 women at 12-20 GW and 1 h-PG data collected from 705 women at 20-28 GW were obtained through medical records from the routine prenatal care system. High FPG or 1 h-PG was defined as ≥90th percentile of FPG or 1 h-PG. The analysis of eight PFASs was conducted in this study: perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUdA), perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA), and perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA). The odds ratios (ORs) and associated 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated to determine the associations of each PFAS compound with high FPG and 1 h-PG from a logistic regression model. RESULTS After adjustment for potential confounders, most PFASs were positively associated with high 1 h-PG concentrations. The OR for high 1 h-PG concentrations was 1.87 (95% CI: 1.15-3.05) with a one log unit increase of PFOS; similar associations were observed for PFNA (OR: 2.15, 95% CI: 1.24-3.74), PFDA (OR: 1.61, 95% CI: 1.10-2.44), PFUdA (OR: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.12-2.62), and PFDoA (OR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.00-1.81). When the PFAS concentrations were categorized into three groups by tertiles, the highest tertiles of PFOS, PFOA, PFNA, PFDA, PFDoA, and PFTrDA had a statistically significant increase in the risk of high 1 h-PG concentrations compared with the lowest tertiles. No statistically significant association was observed between PFAS exposure and high FPG. CONCLUSION PFAS exposure was associated with an increased risk of high 1 h-PG among pregnant women, but no such association was observed for FPG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanfeng Ren
- Department of Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong China
| | - Longmei Jin
- Minhang District Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Fen Yang
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hong Liang
- NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhaofeng Zhang
- NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Du
- NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiuxia Song
- NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Maohua Miao
- NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Yuan
- NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Zhu Q, Li H, Wen Z, Wang Y, Li X, Huang T, Mo J, Wu Y, Zhong Y, Ge RS. Perfluoroalkyl substances cause Leydig cell dysfunction as endocrine disruptors. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 253:126764. [PMID: 32464778 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.126764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a group of man-made organic substances. Some of PFASs have been classified as persistent organic pollutants and endocrine disruptors. They might interfere with the male sex endocrine system, causing the abnormal development of the male reproductive tract and failure of pubertal onset and infertility. The present review discusses the development and function of two generations of Leydig cells in rodents and the effects of PFASs on Leydig cell development after their exposure in gestational and postnatal periods. We also discuss human epidemiological data for the effects of PFASs on male sex hormone levels. The structure-activity relationship of PFASs on Leydig cell steroidogenesis and enzyme activities are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiqi Zhu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Huitao Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zina Wen
- Chengdu Xi'nan Gynecological Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yiyang Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaoheng Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Tongliang Huang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiaying Mo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ying Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ying Zhong
- Chengdu Xi'nan Gynecological Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
| | - Ren-Shan Ge
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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Hu Y, Liu G, Rood J, Liang L, Bray GA, de Jonge L, Coull B, Furtado JD, Qi L, Grandjean P, Sun Q. Perfluoroalkyl substances and changes in bone mineral density: A prospective analysis in the POUNDS-LOST study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 179:108775. [PMID: 31593837 PMCID: PMC6905427 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.108775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Revised: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent studies suggested an inverse association between exposures to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and bone mineral density (BMD). Whether exposures to PFASs are also associated with changes in BMD has not been examined. METHODS Five major PFASs (perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, PFOS; perfluorooctanoic acid, PFOA; perfluorohexanesulfonic acid, PFHxS; perfluorononanoic acid, PFNA; perfluorodecanoic acid, PFDA) and BMD (g/cm2) at six bone sites (spine, total hip, femoral neck, hip intertrochanteric area, hip trochanter, and hip Ward's triangle area) were measured at baseline among 294 participants in the POUNDS-LOST study, a weight-loss trial, of whom a total of 175 participants had BMD measured at both baseline and year 2. Linear regression was used to model the differences or changes in BMD for each SD increment of PFAS concentrations. In a secondary analysis, interactions between PFASs and baseline body mass index (BMI), as well as a BMI-related genetic risk score (GRS) derived from 97 BMI-predicting SNPs were examined in relation to changes in BMD. RESULTS At baseline, both PFOS and PFOA were significantly associated with lower BMD at several sites. For each SD increase of PFOS, the βs (95% CIs) for BMD were -0.020(-0.037, -0.003) for spine, -0.013(-0.026, 0.001) for total hip, -0.014(-0.028, 0.000) for femoral neck, and -0.013(-0.026, 0.000) for hip trochanter. For PFOA, the corresponding figures were -0.021(-0.038, -0.004) for spine, -0.015(-0.029, -0.001) for total hip, and -0.015(-0.029, -0.002) for femoral neck. After adjusting for baseline covariates and 2-year weight change, higher baseline plasma concentrations of PFOS, PFNA, and PFDA were associated with greater reduction in BMD in the hip; the βs (95% CIs) were -0.005(-0.009, -0.001), -0.006(-0.010, -0.001), and -0.005(-0.009, -0.001), respectively. Similar associations were found in hip intertrochanteric area for all PFASs except PFHxS, with βs ranging from -0.006 for PFOA to -0.008 for PFOS and PFNA. Participants with a higher GRS tended to have less PFAS-related BMD decline in total hip (Pinteraction = 0.005) and the hip intertrochanteric area (Pinteraction = 0.021). There were similar PFAS-related BMD changes by baseline BMI levels, although the interactions did not achieve statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that higher plasma PFAS concentrations were not only associated with a lower BMD at baseline, but also a faster BMD loss in a weight-loss trial setting. Genetic predisposition to larger body size may somewhat attenuate the deleterious effects of PFASs on BMD. Further exploration of the possible impact of PFAS exposures on bone density is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Hu
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gang Liu
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Hubei Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety and the Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jennifer Rood
- LSU, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Liming Liang
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - George A Bray
- LSU, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Lilian de Jonge
- Department of Nutrition and Food Studies, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
| | - Brent Coull
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jeremy D Furtado
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lu Qi
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Philippe Grandjean
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Qi Sun
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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The effects of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) on fetal and adult rat testis. Reprod Toxicol 2019; 90:68-76. [PMID: 31412280 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2019.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2019] [Revised: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a widely dispersed synthetic chemical, which accumulates in living organisms and has been connected with male reproductive disorders. To monitor the effects of PFOA, fetal rat testes or seminiferous tubule segments (stage VII-VIII) of adult rats were cultured in 0-100 μg/ml PFOA for 24 h. Afterwards, cAMP, progesterone, testosterone and StAR protein levels were measured from the fetal testes culture. Measurements were combined with immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, TUNEL and flow cytometric analysis to monitor cell death in somatic and germ cells. This study shows that the levels of cAMP, progesterone, testosterone and expression of StAR decreased significantly in PFOA 50 and 100 μg/ml. PFOA affected cell populations significantly by decreasing the amount of diploid, proliferating, meiotic I and G2/M-phase cells in adult rat testis. However, PFOA did not affect fetal, proliferating or adult rat Sertoli cells but an increased tendency of apoptosis in fetal Leydig cells was observed.
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Xin Y, Ren XM, Wan B, Guo LH. Comparative in Vitro and in Vivo Evaluation of the Estrogenic Effect of Hexafluoropropylene Oxide Homologues. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:8371-8380. [PMID: 31251593 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b01579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
As alternatives to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), hexafluoropropylene oxide (HFPO) homologues, including hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA), hexafluoropropylene oxide trimer acid (HFPO-TA), and hexafluoropropylene oxide tetramer acid (HFPO-TeA), have been used in the fluoropolymer industry for a long period of time. These compounds have attracted widespread attention in recent years due to their environmental ubiquity and high bioaccumulation capability, as well as their toxicity. In our study, we evaluated the potential estrogenic effects of HFPOs in comparison to PFOA by ligand binding, transcriptional activity, and in vivo assays. Fluorescence ligand binding assays showed that both HFPO-TA and HFPO-TeA exhibited higher binding affinity to estrogen receptor ligand binding domains (ER-LBDs) than PFOA, with 2.5- and 57.5-fold higher affinity to ERα-LBD and 2.6- and 41.8-fold higher affinity to ERβ-LBD, respectively, whereas HFPO-DA exhibited weaker binding affinity than PFOA. Unlike PFOA, HFPO-TA and HFPO-TeA exhibited antagonistic activity toward the ERs' signaling pathway, with HFPO-TeA displaying the strongest potency. In silico study revealed that while PFOA binds with ERs in a similar fashion as 17β-estradiol, the HFPOs display an antagonistic binding mode. Using a zebrafish model, we further found that exposure to HFPO homologues significantly altered the levels of sex steroid hormones and vitellogenin. In general, both in vivo and in vitro results indicate that HFPO homologues might exert higher estrogenic effects than PFOA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Xin
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Eco-toxicology , Research Center for Eco-environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences , 18 Shuangqing Road , Beijing 100085 , China
- College of Resources and Environment , University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100039 , China
| | - Xiao-Min Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Eco-toxicology , Research Center for Eco-environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences , 18 Shuangqing Road , Beijing 100085 , China
| | - Bin Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Eco-toxicology , Research Center for Eco-environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences , 18 Shuangqing Road , Beijing 100085 , China
- College of Resources and Environment , University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100039 , China
| | - Liang-Hong Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Eco-toxicology , Research Center for Eco-environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences , 18 Shuangqing Road , Beijing 100085 , China
- College of Resources and Environment , University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100039 , China
- Institute of Environmental and Health Sciences , China Jiliang University , 258 Xueyuan Street , Hangzhou , Zhejiang 310018 , China
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Di Nisio A, Sabovic I, Valente U, Tescari S, Rocca MS, Guidolin D, Dall'Acqua S, Acquasaliente L, Pozzi N, Plebani M, Garolla A, Foresta C. Endocrine Disruption of Androgenic Activity by Perfluoroalkyl Substances: Clinical and Experimental Evidence. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2019; 104:1259-1271. [PMID: 30403786 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2018-01855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Accepted: 11/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Considerable attention has been paid to perfluoroalkyl compounds (PFCs) because of their worldwide presence in humans, wildlife, and environment. A wide variety of toxicological effects is well supported in animals, including testicular toxicity and male infertility. For these reasons, the understanding of epidemiological associations and of the molecular mechanisms involved in the endocrine-disrupting properties of PFCs on human reproductive health is a major concern. OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationship between PFC exposure and male reproductive health. DESIGN This study was performed within a screening protocol to evaluate male reproductive health in high schools. PATIENTS This is a cross-sectional study on 212 exposed males from the Veneto region, one of the four areas worldwide heavily polluted with PFCs, and 171 nonexposed controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Anthropometrics, seminal parameters, and sex hormones were measured in young males from exposed areas compared with age-matched controls. We also performed biochemical studies in established experimental models. RESULTS We found that increased levels of PFCs in plasma and seminal fluid positively correlate with circulating testosterone (T) and with a reduction of semen quality, testicular volume, penile length, and anogenital distance. Experimental evidence points toward an antagonistic action of perfluorooctanoic acid on the binding of T to androgen receptor (AR) in a gene reporter assay, a competition assay on an AR-coated surface plasmon resonance chip, and an AR nuclear translocation assay. DISCUSSION This study documents that PFCs have a substantial impact on human health as they interfere with hormonal pathways, potentially leading to male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Di Nisio
- Department of Medicine, Operative Unit of Andrology and Medicine of Human Reproduction, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Iva Sabovic
- Department of Medicine, Operative Unit of Andrology and Medicine of Human Reproduction, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Umberto Valente
- Department of Medicine, Operative Unit of Andrology and Medicine of Human Reproduction, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Simone Tescari
- Department of Medicine, Operative Unit of Andrology and Medicine of Human Reproduction, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Maria Santa Rocca
- Department of Medicine, Operative Unit of Andrology and Medicine of Human Reproduction, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Diego Guidolin
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Stefano Dall'Acqua
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Laura Acquasaliente
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Nicola Pozzi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Mario Plebani
- Department of Medicine, Laboratory Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Andrea Garolla
- Department of Medicine, Operative Unit of Andrology and Medicine of Human Reproduction, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Carlo Foresta
- Department of Medicine, Operative Unit of Andrology and Medicine of Human Reproduction, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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Auner AW, Tasneem KM, Markov DA, McCawley LJ, Hutson MS. Chemical-PDMS binding kinetics and implications for bioavailability in microfluidic devices. LAB ON A CHIP 2019; 19:864-874. [PMID: 30720811 PMCID: PMC6512955 DOI: 10.1039/c8lc00796a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Microfluidic organ-on-chip devices constructed from polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) have proven useful in studying both beneficial and adverse effects of drugs, supplements, and potential toxicants. Despite multiple advantages, one clear drawback of PDMS-based devices is binding of hydrophobic chemicals to their exposed surfaces. Chemical binding to PDMS can change the timing and extent of chemical delivery to cells in such devices, potentially altering dose-response curves. Recent efforts have quantified PDMS binding for selected chemicals. Here, we test a wider set of nineteen chemicals using UV-vis or infrared spectroscopy to characterize loss of chemical from solution in two setups with different PDMS-surface-to-solution-volume ratios. We find discernible PDMS binding for eight chemicals and show that PDMS binding is strongest for chemicals with a high octanol-water partition coefficient (log P > 1.85) and low H-bond donor number. Further, by measuring depletion and return of chemical from solution over tens to hundreds of hours and fitting these results to a first order model of binding kinetics, we characterize partitioning into PDMS in terms of binding capacities per unit surface area and both forward and reverse rate constants. These fitted parameters were used to model the impact of PDMS binding on chemical transport and bioavailability under realistic flow conditions and device geometry. The models predict that PDMS binding could alter in-device cellular exposures for both continuous and bolus dosing schemes by up to an order of magnitude compared to nominal input doses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander W Auner
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
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Di Nisio A, Foresta C. Water and soil pollution as determinant of water and food quality/contamination and its impact on male fertility. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2019; 17:4. [PMID: 30611299 PMCID: PMC6321708 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-018-0449-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past two decades, public health has focused on the identification of environmental chemical factors that are able to adversely affect hormonal function, known as endocrine disruptors (EDs). EDs mimic naturally occurring hormones like estrogens and androgens which can in turn interfere with the endocrine system. As a consequence, EDs affect human reproduction as well as post and pre-natal development. In fact, infants can be affected already at prenatal level due to maternal exposure to EDs. In particular, great attention has been given to those chemicals, or their metabolites, that have estrogenic properties or antagonistic effects on the activity of androgen or even inhibiting their production. These compounds have therefore the potential of interfering with important physiological processes, such as masculinization, morphological development of the urogenital system and secondary sexual traits. Animal and in vitro studies have supported the conclusion that endocrine-disrupting chemicals affect the hormone-dependent pathways responsible for male gonadal development, either through direct interaction with hormone receptors or via epigenetic and cell-cycle regulatory modes of action. In human populations, epidemiological studies have reported an overall decline of male fertility and an increased incidence of diseases or congenital malformations of the male reproductive system. The majority of studies point towards an association between exposure to EDs and male and/or female reproductive system disorders, such as infertility, endometriosis, breast cancer, testicular cancer, poor sperm quality and/or function. Despite promising discoveries, a causal relationship between the reproductive disorders and exposure to specific toxicants has yet to be established, due to the complexity of the clinical protocols used, the degree of occupational or environmental exposure, the determination of the variables measured and the sample size of the subjects examined. Despite the lack of consistency in the results of so many studies investigating endocrine-disrupting properties of many different classes of chemicals, the overall conclusion points toward a positive association between exposure to EDs and reproductive system. Future studies should focus on a uniform systems to examine human populations with regard to the exposure to specific EDs and the direct effect on the reproductive system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Di Nisio
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani, 2, 35128, Padova, Italy
| | - Carlo Foresta
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani, 2, 35128, Padova, Italy.
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Knutsen HK, Alexander J, Barregård L, Bignami M, Brüschweiler B, Ceccatelli S, Cottrill B, Dinovi M, Edler L, Grasl-Kraupp B, Hogstrand C, Hoogenboom LR, Nebbia CS, Oswald IP, Petersen A, Rose M, Roudot AC, Vleminckx C, Vollmer G, Wallace H, Bodin L, Cravedi JP, Halldorsson TI, Haug LS, Johansson N, van Loveren H, Gergelova P, Mackay K, Levorato S, van Manen M, Schwerdtle T. Risk to human health related to the presence of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid and perfluorooctanoic acid in food. EFSA J 2018; 16:e05194. [PMID: 32625773 PMCID: PMC7009575 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2018.5194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The European Commission asked EFSA for a scientific evaluation on the risks to human health related to the presence of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in food. Regarding PFOS and PFOA occurrence, the final data set available for dietary exposure assessment contained a total of 20,019 analytical results (PFOS n = 10,191 and PFOA n = 9,828). There were large differences between upper and lower bound exposure due to analytical methods with insufficient sensitivity. The CONTAM Panel considered the lower bound estimates to be closer to true exposure levels. Important contributors to the lower bound mean chronic exposure were 'Fish and other seafood', 'Meat and meat products' and 'Eggs and egg products', for PFOS, and 'Milk and dairy products', 'Drinking water' and 'Fish and other seafood' for PFOA. PFOS and PFOA are readily absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, excreted in urine and faeces, and do not undergo metabolism. Estimated human half-lives for PFOS and PFOA are about 5 years and 2-4 years, respectively. The derivation of a health-based guidance value was based on human epidemiological studies. For PFOS, the increase in serum total cholesterol in adults, and the decrease in antibody response at vaccination in children were identified as the critical effects. For PFOA, the increase in serum total cholesterol was the critical effect. Also reduced birth weight (for both compounds) and increased prevalence of high serum levels of the liver enzyme alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (for PFOA) were considered. After benchmark modelling of serum levels of PFOS and PFOA, and estimating the corresponding daily intakes, the CONTAM Panel established a tolerable weekly intake (TWI) of 13 ng/kg body weight (bw) per week for PFOS and 6 ng/kg bw per week for PFOA. For both compounds, exposure of a considerable proportion of the population exceeds the proposed TWIs.
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Cao W, Liu X, Liu X, Zhou Y, Zhang X, Tian H, Wang J, Feng S, Wu Y, Bhatti P, Wen S, Sun X. Perfluoroalkyl substances in umbilical cord serum and gestational and postnatal growth in a Chinese birth cohort. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2018; 116:197-205. [PMID: 29698896 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2017] [Revised: 04/08/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Although animal studies have found that perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) affect gestational and postnatal growth, the epidemiological findings are limited and not in agreement. We explored the associations of PFAS concentrations in umbilical cord blood with gestational and postnatal growth in China. Three hundred thirty-seven singleton newborns and their mothers were recruited from November 2013 to December 2015 in Zhoukou City, China. Umbilical cord blood was collected to measure eleven PFASs by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The index of gestational and postnatal growth contained fetal weight, length, and head circumference. These were obtained at birth and at the follow-up investigation (mean 19 months). Exposed to higher perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) were connected with reduced length at birth (p for trend = 0.01) and decreased postnatal weight (β = -429.2 g; 95% CI: -858.4, -0.121 for 2nd VS. 1st). Exposed to perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUdA) were positively associated with indications of gestational growth and postnatal growth (p for trend = 0.02 for birth length; p for trend = 0.04 for postnatal length). Exposed to higher perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA) were associated with lower birth weight (β = -122.9 g, 95% CI: -244.7 to -1.2 for 2nd VS. 1st), but higher postnatal length (p for trend = 0.03). Neonates in the highest exposure group of per-fluorohexanesulfonate (PFHxS) showed decreased birth length (β = -0.33 cm, 95% CI: -0.68 to -0.01, for 2nd VS. 1st), but increased postnatal head circumference (p for trend = 0.04). Increased PFOA concentrations was associated with shorter birth length only in girls (p for trend = 0.04), suggesting that the effect of PFASs on gestational growth were different between boys and girls. In utero exposure to PFASs may affect gestational and postnatal growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wencheng Cao
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory for Applied Toxicology, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, #6 Zhuo Daoquan North Road, Wuhan 430079, PR China
| | - Xiao Liu
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory for Applied Toxicology, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, #6 Zhuo Daoquan North Road, Wuhan 430079, PR China
| | - Xiaofang Liu
- Analytical Chemistry, School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Wuhan Institute of Technology, LiuFang Campus, No.206, Guanggu 1st road, Wuhan 430205, PR China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory for Applied Toxicology, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, #6 Zhuo Daoquan North Road, Wuhan 430079, PR China
| | - Yan Zhou
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory for Applied Toxicology, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, #6 Zhuo Daoquan North Road, Wuhan 430079, PR China
| | - Xiaotian Zhang
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory for Applied Toxicology, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, #6 Zhuo Daoquan North Road, Wuhan 430079, PR China
| | - Haoyuan Tian
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Safety and Health, National Institute of Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, #27 Nan Wei Road, Beijing 100050, PR China
| | - Jin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Safety and Health, National Institute of Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, #27 Nan Wei Road, Beijing 100050, PR China
| | - Shixian Feng
- Institute of Chronic and Non-Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Henan Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nongye Donglu South, Zhengzhou 450016, PR China
| | - Yongning Wu
- The Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, Ministry of Health (CFSA) and China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, #7 Panjiayuan Nanli, Beijing 100021, PR China
| | - Parveen Bhatti
- Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Sheng Wen
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory for Applied Toxicology, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, #6 Zhuo Daoquan North Road, Wuhan 430079, PR China.
| | - Xin Sun
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Safety and Health, National Institute of Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, #27 Nan Wei Road, Beijing 100050, PR China.
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Foresta C, Tescari S, Di Nisio A. Impact of perfluorochemicals on human health and reproduction: a male's perspective. J Endocrinol Invest 2018; 41:639-645. [PMID: 29147953 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-017-0790-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Perfluoroalkyl compounds (PFCs) are a class of organic molecules used in industry and consumer products. PFCs are non-biodegradable and bioaccumulate in the environment and for these reasons they have been a major subject of research regarding their toxicity, environmental fate, and sources of human exposure, since they have been shown to induce severe health consequences, such as neonatal mortality, neurotoxicity and immunotoxicity. The aim of this review is to explore the existing knowledge of the interplay between PFCs exposure and human health, with a focus on male reproductive health, given the emerging gender differences in PFCs clearance and their interaction with sex hormones receptors. A comprehensive PUBMED search was performed using relevant key terms for PFCs and male fertility. Different degrees of evidence suggest an impairment of semen parameters and sex hormones in relation to PFCs exposure. These preliminary results point towards a sex-dependent pharmacodynamics and clearance, with males having a much higher tendency to accumulation. Moreover, because of the widespread environmental occurrence of these chemicals, along with their ability to cross the placental barrier, exposure of the foetus to these compounds is inevitable. This is of concern because foetal development of the male reproductive organs may be disturbed by exposure to exogenous factors. These findings clearly suggest an antiandrogenic potential of PFCs and a link between endocrine disruptors and disorders of male health.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Foresta
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Andrology and Medicine of Human Reproduction, Università degli Studi di Padova, Via Giustiniani, 2, 35128, Padua, Italy.
| | - S Tescari
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Andrology and Medicine of Human Reproduction, Università degli Studi di Padova, Via Giustiniani, 2, 35128, Padua, Italy
| | - A Di Nisio
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Andrology and Medicine of Human Reproduction, Università degli Studi di Padova, Via Giustiniani, 2, 35128, Padua, Italy
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Corticosteroid-binding globulin, induced in testicular Leydig cells by perfluorooctanoic acid, promotes steroid hormone synthesis. Arch Toxicol 2018; 92:2013-2025. [DOI: 10.1007/s00204-018-2207-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Behr AC, Lichtenstein D, Braeuning A, Lampen A, Buhrke T. Perfluoroalkylated substances (PFAS) affect neither estrogen and androgen receptor activity nor steroidogenesis in human cells in vitro. Toxicol Lett 2018; 291:51-60. [PMID: 29601859 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2018.03.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2017] [Revised: 03/07/2018] [Accepted: 03/26/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The perfluoroalkylated substances (PFAS) perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) are used for the fabrication of water- and dirt-repellent surfaces. The use of PFOS and PFOA was restricted due to their reprotoxic properties and their environmental persistence. Therefore, industry switches to alternative PFAS, however, in contrast to PFOA and PFOS only few toxicological data are available for their substitutes. The molecular mechanism(s) underlying reproductive toxicity of PFOA and PFOS are largely unknown. Here, the endocrine properties of PFOA, PFOS, and of six substitutes including perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS), perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA), ammonium perfluoro(2-methyl-3-oxahexanoate) (PMOH), and 3H-perfluoro-3-[(3-methoxypropoxy) propanoic acid] (PMPP) were examined in vitro by using human cell lines such as MCF-7, H295R, LNCaP and MDA-kb2. PFOA, PFOS and PMOH enhanced 17β-estradiol-stimulated estrogen receptor β activity, and PFOS, PMOH, PFHxA and PFBA enhanced dihydrotestosterone-stimulated androgen receptor activity. In the H295R steroidogenesis assay, PFOA and PFOS slightly enhanced estrone secretion, and progesterone secretion was marginally increased by PFOA. All these effects were only observed at concentrations above 10 μM, and none of the PFAS displayed any effect on any of the molecular endocrine endpoints at concentrations of 10 μM or below. Thus, as the blood serum concentrations of the different PFAS in the general Western population are in the range of 10 nM or below, the results suggest that PFAS might not exert endocrine effects in humans at exposure-relevant concentrations according to the molecular endpoints examined in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Cathrin Behr
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Department of Food Safety, Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dajana Lichtenstein
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Department of Food Safety, Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Albert Braeuning
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Department of Food Safety, Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alfonso Lampen
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Department of Food Safety, Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thorsten Buhrke
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Department of Food Safety, Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany.
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Chaparro-Ortega A, Betancourt M, Rosas P, Vázquez-Cuevas FG, Chavira R, Bonilla E, Casas E, Ducolomb Y. Endocrine disruptor effect of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) on porcine ovarian cell steroidogenesis. Toxicol In Vitro 2018; 46:86-93. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2017.09.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2017] [Revised: 09/29/2017] [Accepted: 09/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Zhang J, Zhu Y, Shi Y, Han Y, Liang C, Feng Z, Zheng H, Eng M, Wang J. Fluoride-Induced Autophagy via the Regulation of Phosphorylation of Mammalian Targets of Rapamycin in Mice Leydig Cells. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2017; 65:8966-8976. [PMID: 28927274 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.7b03822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Fluoride is known to impair testicular function and decrease testosterone levels, yet the underlying mechanisms remain inconclusive. The objective of this study is to investigate the roles of autophagy in fluoride-induced male reproductive toxicity using both in vivo and in vitro Leydig cell models. Using transmission electron microscopy and monodansylcadaverine staining, we observed increasing numbers of autophagosomes in testicular tissue, especially in Leydig cells of fluoride-exposed mice. Further study revealed that fluoride increased the levels of mRNA and protein expression of autophagy markers LC3, Beclin1, and Atg 5 in primary Leydig cells. Furthermore, fluoride inhibited the phosphorylation of mammalian targets of rapamycin and 4EBP1, which in turn resulted in a decrease in the levels of AKT and PI3K mRNA expression, as well as an elevation of the level of AMPK expression in both testes and primary Leydig cells. Additionally, fluoride exposure significantly changed the mRNA expression of the PDK1, TSC, and Atg13 regulator genes in primary Leydig cells but not in testicular cells. Taken together, our findings highlight the roles of autophagy in fluoride-induced testicular and Leydig cell damage and contribute to the elucidation of the underlying mechanisms of fluoride-induced male reproductive toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianhai Zhang
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University , Taigu, Shanxi 030801, China
| | - Yuchen Zhu
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University , Taigu, Shanxi 030801, China
| | - Yan Shi
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University , Taigu, Shanxi 030801, China
| | - Yongli Han
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University , Taigu, Shanxi 030801, China
| | - Chen Liang
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University , Taigu, Shanxi 030801, China
| | - Zhiyuan Feng
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University , Taigu, Shanxi 030801, China
| | - Heping Zheng
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia , Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, United States
| | - Michelle Eng
- Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19140, United States
| | - Jundong Wang
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University , Taigu, Shanxi 030801, China
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Chiu WA, Guyton KZ, Martin MT, Reif DM, Rusyn I. Use of high-throughput in vitro toxicity screening data in cancer hazard evaluations by IARC Monograph Working Groups. ALTEX 2017; 35:51-64. [PMID: 28738424 PMCID: PMC5783793 DOI: 10.14573/altex.1703231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Evidence regarding carcinogenic mechanisms serves a critical role in International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Monograph evaluations. Three recent IARC Working Groups pioneered inclusion of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ToxCast program high-throughput screening (HTS) data to supplement other mechanistic evidence. In Monograph V110, HTS profiles were compared between perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and prototypical activators across multiple nuclear receptors. For Monograph V112-113, HTS assays were mapped to 10 key characteristics of carcinogens identified by an IARC expert group, and systematically considered as an additional mechanistic data stream. Both individual assay results and ToxPi-based rankings informed mechanistic evaluations. Activation of multiple nuclear receptors in HTS assays showed that PFOA targets not only peroxisome proliferator activated receptors, but also other receptors. ToxCast assays substantially covered 5 of 10 key characteristics, corroborating literature evidence of "induces oxidative stress" and "alters cell proliferation, cell death or nutrient supply" and filling gaps for "modulates receptor-mediated effects." Thus, ToxCast HTS data were useful both in evaluating specific mechanistic hypotheses and in contributing to the overall evaluation of mechanistic evidence. However, additional HTS assays are needed to provide more comprehensive coverage of the 10 key characteristics of carcinogens that form the basis of current IARC mechanistic evaluations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weihsueh A. Chiu
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Kathryn Z. Guyton
- Monographs Programme, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France
| | - Matthew T. Martin
- National Center for Computational Toxicology, US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - David M. Reif
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Ivan Rusyn
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
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Zhou W, Zhang L, Tong C, Fang F, Zhao S, Tian Y, Tao Y, Zhang J. Plasma Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Concentration and Menstrual Cycle Characteristics in Preconception Women. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2017; 125:067012. [PMID: 28657892 PMCID: PMC5743639 DOI: 10.1289/ehp1203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2016] [Revised: 01/03/2017] [Accepted: 01/25/2017] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are persistent synthetic chemicals that are widely used in industrial applications and often detectable in humans. In rats, PFASs can interfere with the estrous cycle. In humans, menstruation has been viewed as a proxy of female fecundity, and periodic menstruation plays a critical role in endometrial sloughing in the absence of pregnancy and in preparing for embryo implantation. OBJECTIVES We investigated the association between PFAS exposure and menstrual cycle characteristics in women who plan to become pregnant. METHODS Plasma level of 10 PFASs was measured in 950 women who were attempting to become pregnant and recruited in two preconception care clinics in Shanghai, China, from August 2013 to April 2015. Information on menstrual cycle characteristics was collected by questionnaires. Associations between PFAS levels and menstrual cycle regularity, length, and bleeding volume were examined using multiple logistic regression models. RESULTS Pre-pregnant women with higher levels of log-transformed perfluorooctanate (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and perfluorohexanesulfonate (PFHxS) had increased odds of self-reported history of irregular menstrual cycle [PFOA-adjusted odds ratio (OR)=1.52 (95% CI: 1.08, 2.15); PFOS OR=1.29 (95% CI: 0.98, 1.70); PFNA OR=1.50 (95% CI: 1.03, 2.07); PFHxS OR=1.80 (95% CI: 1.17, 2.77)] and long menstrual cycle [PFOA OR=1.50 (95% CI: 1.06, 2.10); PFOS OR=1.34 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.75); PFNA OR=1.49 (95% CI: 1.05, 2.11); PFHxS OR=1.73 (95% CI: 1.13, 2.65)]. Log-transformed PFOA, PFOS, PFNA. and PFHxS levels were negatively associated with self-reported history of menorrhagia [PFOA OR=0.37 (95% CI: 0.21, 0.65); PFOS OR=0.57 (95% CI: 0.37, 0.90); PFNA OR=0.47 (95% CI: 0.26, 0.86); PFHxS OR=0.14 (95% CI: 0.06, 0.36)]. CONCLUSIONS Certain PFASs are associated with abnormal menstruation in humans. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP1203.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhou
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lulu Zhang
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chuanliang Tong
- Department of Science and Research, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital of China Welfare Institute, Shanghai, China
| | - Fang Fang
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shasha Zhao
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Tian
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yexuan Tao
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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46
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Lu Y, Wang J, Guo X, Yan S, Dai J. Perfluorooctanoic acid affects endocytosis involving clathrin light chain A and microRNA-133b-3p in mouse testes. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2017; 318:41-48. [PMID: 28126411 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2017.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2016] [Revised: 01/19/2017] [Accepted: 01/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is an abundant perfluoroalkyl substance widely applied in industrial and consumer products. Among its potential health hazards, testicular toxicity is of major concern. To explore the potential effect of miRNA on post-translational regulation after PFOA exposure, changes in miRNAs were detected via miRNA array. Seventeen miRNAs were differentially expressed (eight upregulated, nine downregulated) in male mouse testes after exposure to 5mg/kg/d of PFOA for 28d (>1.5-fold and P<0.05 compared with the control). Eight of these miRNAs were further selected for TaqMan qPCR analysis. Proteomic profile analysis indicated that many changed proteins after PFOA treatment, including intersectin 1 (ITSN1), serine protease inhibitor A3K (Serpina3k), and apolipoprotein a1 (APOA1), were involved in endocytosis and blood-testis barrier (BTB) processes. These changes were further verified by immunohistochemical and Western blot analyses. Endocytosis-related genes were selected for qPCR analysis, with many found to be significantly changed after PFOA treatment, including epidermal growth factor receptor pathway substrate 8 (Eps8), Eps15, cortactin, cofilin, espin, vinculin, and zyxin. We further predicted the potential interaction between changed miRNAs and proteins, which indicated that miRNAs might play a role in the post-translational regulation of gene expression after PFOA treatment in mouse testes. Among them, miR-133b-3p/clathrin light chain A (CLTA) was selected and verified in vitro by transfection and luciferase activity assay. Results showed that PFOA exposure affects endocytosis in mouse testes and that CLTA is a potential target of miR-133b-3p.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin Lu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, PR China
| | - Jianshe Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, PR China
| | - Xuejiang Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, PR China
| | - Shengmin Yan
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, PR China
| | - Jiayin Dai
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, PR China.
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47
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Is there a human health risk associated with indirect exposure to perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (PFCAs)? Toxicology 2017; 375:28-36. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2016.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2016] [Revised: 11/07/2016] [Accepted: 11/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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48
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Cardoso AM, Alves MG, Mathur PP, Oliveira PF, Cavaco JE, Rato L. Obesogens and male fertility. Obes Rev 2017; 18:109-125. [PMID: 27776203 DOI: 10.1111/obr.12469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2016] [Revised: 08/04/2016] [Accepted: 08/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
In the last decades, several studies evidenced a decrease in male fertility in developed countries. Although the aetiology of this trend in male reproductive health remains a matter of debate, environmental compounds that predispose to weight gain, namely obesogens, are appointed as contributors because of their action as endocrine disruptors. Obesogens favour adipogenesis by an imbalance of metabolic processes and can be found virtually everywhere. These compounds easily accumulate in tissues with high lipid content. Obesogens change the functioning of male reproductive axis, and, consequently, the testicular physiology and metabolism that are pivotal for spermatogenesis. The disruption of these tightly regulated metabolic pathways leads to adverse reproductive outcomes. Notably, adverse effects of obesogens may also promote disturbances in the metabolic performance of the following generations, through epigenetic modifications passed by male gametes. Thus, unveiling the molecular pathways by which obesogens induce toxicity that may end up in epigenetic modifications is imperative. Otherwise, a transgenerational susceptibility to metabolic diseases may be favoured. We present an up-to-date overview of the impact of obesogens on testicular physiology, with a particular focus on testicular metabolism. We also address the effects of obesogens on male reproductive parameters and the subsequent consequences for male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Cardoso
- Health Sciences Research Centre (CICS-UBI), University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - M G Alves
- Health Sciences Research Centre (CICS-UBI), University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - P P Mathur
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, Pondicherry, India.,KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - P F Oliveira
- Department of Microscopy, Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS) and Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,i3S- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - J E Cavaco
- Health Sciences Research Centre (CICS-UBI), University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - L Rato
- Health Sciences Research Centre (CICS-UBI), University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
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49
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Zhong SQ, Chen ZX, Kong ML, Xie YQ, Zhou Y, Qin XD, Paul G, Zeng XW, Dong GH. Testosterone-Mediated Endocrine Function and TH1/TH2 Cytokine Balance after Prenatal Exposure to Perfluorooctane Sulfonate: By Sex Status. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:E1509. [PMID: 27626407 PMCID: PMC5037786 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17091509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2016] [Revised: 08/30/2016] [Accepted: 08/31/2016] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Little information exists about the evaluation of potential developmental immunotoxicity induced by perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), a synthetic persistent and increasingly ubiquitous environmental contaminant. To assess potential sex-specific impacts of PFOS on immunological health in the offspring, using male and female C57BL/6 mice, pups were evaluated for developmental immunotoxic effects after maternal oral exposure to PFOS (0.1, 1.0 and 5.0 mg PFOS/kg/day) during Gestational Days 1-17. Spontaneous TH1/TH2-type cytokines, serum levels of testosterone and estradiol were evaluated in F1 pups at four and eight weeks of age. The study showed that male pups were more sensitive to the effects of PFOS than female pups. At eight weeks of age, an imbalance in TH1/TH2-type cytokines with excess TH2 cytokines (IL-4) was found only in male pups. As for hormone levels, PFOS treatment in utero significantly decreased serum testosterone levels and increased estradiol levels only in male pups, and a significant interaction between sex and PFOS was observed for serum testosterone at both four weeks of age (pinteraction = 0.0049) and eight weeks of age (pinteraction = 0.0227) and for estradiol alternation at four weeks of age (pinteraction = 0.0351). In conclusion, testosterone-mediated endocrine function may be partially involved in the TH1/TH2 imbalance induced by PFOS, and these deficits are detectable among both young and adult mice and may affect males more than females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shou-Qiang Zhong
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Maoming City, Maoming 525000, Guangdong, China.
| | - Zan-Xiong Chen
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Maoming City, Maoming 525000, Guangdong, China.
| | - Min-Li Kong
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Maoming City, Maoming 525000, Guangdong, China.
| | - Yan-Qi Xie
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Maoming City, Maoming 525000, Guangdong, China.
| | - Yang Zhou
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong, China.
| | - Xiao-Di Qin
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong, China.
| | - Gunther Paul
- Faculty of Health, School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059, Australia.
| | - Xiao-Wen Zeng
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong, China.
| | - Guang-Hui Dong
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong, China.
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50
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Spiteri ID, Guillette LJ, Crain DA. The functional and structural observations of the neonatal reproductive system of alligators exposed in ovo to atrazine, 2,4-D, or estradiol. Toxicol Ind Health 2016. [DOI: 10.1177/074823379901500115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Wild alligators exposed to persistent organochlorine contaminants, municipal waste compounds, and contemporary-use herbicides exhibit reproductive alterations that are thought to be caused by endocrine disruption. This study tests the hypothesis that these alterations, at least in part, result from exposure of alligator embryos to contemporary-use herbicides. Alligator eggs were collected early in development, exposed to estradiol-17β, atrazine, or 2,4-D (at dosages of 0.14, 1.4, and 14 ppm, plus a dosage of 0.014 ppm for estradiol-17β only) before the period of gonadal differentiation, and incubated at a temperature that would produce either 100% males or 100% females. Analysis of histology was performed on the gonads and reproductive tracts of hatchlings. In females, epithelial cell height of the Müllerian duct and medullary regression of the ovary were assessed, whereas in males, sex-cord diameter was measured. Eggs incubated at the female-determining temperature produced all female hatchlings, whereas the estradiol-17β treatments caused the production of females at the male-determining temperature. Neither atrazine nor 2,4-D had this effect. Both Müllerian duct epithelial cell height and medullary regression were increased in estradiol-treated animals, but no differences were noted between herbicide-treated alligators and controls. A previous study found that male alligators exposed to 14 ppm atrazine had elevated gonadal aromatase activity, but there was no difference in sex-cord diameter in this or any other treatment group. Additionally, we observed that hepatic aromatase activity was not altered by in ovo exposure to any of the treatments. These results indicate that these herbicides alone are not responsible for the gonadal abnormalities previously reported for juvenile alligators from Lake Apopka and emphasize the importance of anlyzing both the function ( i.e., steroidogenic enzyme activity) and the structure ( i.e., histological analysis) of the reproductive system. Structural assessment alone may be insufficient for detecting subtle endocrine alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - D. Andrew Crain
- Department of Zoology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida,
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