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Alhelaisi A, Alrezaki A, Nahdi S, Aldahmash W, Alwasel S, Harrath AH. Early-Life Exposure to the Mycotoxin Fumonisin B1 and Developmental Programming of the Ovary of the Offspring: The Possible Role of Autophagy in Fertility Recovery. Toxics 2023; 11:980. [PMID: 38133381 PMCID: PMC10747440 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11120980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Mycotoxins are produced by more than one hundred fungi and produce secondary metabolites that contaminate various agricultural commodities, especially rice and corn. Their presence in the food chain is considered a serious problem worldwide. In recent years, a link between exposure to mycotoxins and impaired fertility has been suggested. Consequently, it has become vital to investigate the interactive effects of these mycotoxins on ovarian function. In this study, we investigated the intergenerational effects of the mycotoxin fumonisin B1 (FB1) on ovarian structure and function. Virgin Wistar albino female rats were separated into control and FB1 treatment groups and examined from day 6 of pregnancy until delivery (20 and 50 mg/kg b.w./day). The obtained female rats of the first (F1) and second generations (F2) were euthanized at 4 weeks of age, and ovary samples were collected. We found that the ovary weight index increased with the high dose of the treatment (50 mg/kg b.w./day) among both F1 and F2, in a manner similar to that observed in polycystic ovary syndrome. As expected, FB1 at a high dose (50 mg/kg b.w.) reduced the number of primordial follicles in F1 and F2, leading to an accelerated age-related decline in reproductive capacity. Moreover, it reduced the fertility rate among the F1 female rats by affecting follicle growth and development, as the number of secondary and tertiary follicles decreased. Histopathological changes were evidenced by the altered structures of most of the growing follicle oocytes, as revealed by a thinning irregular zona pellucida and pyknosis in granulosa cells. These findings are concomitant with steroidogenesis- and folliculogenesis-related gene expression, as evidenced by the decrease in CYP19 activity and estrogen receptor beta (ESR2) gene expression. Additionally, GDF-9 mRNA levels were significantly decreased, and IGF-1 mRNA levels were significantly increased. However, the results from the ovaries of the F2 treatment groups were different and unexpected. While there was no significant variation in CYP19 activity compared to the control, the ESR2 significantly increased, leading to stereological and histopathological changes similar to those of the control, except for some altered follicles. The hallmark histological feature was the appearance of vacuolar structures within the oocyte and between granulosa cell layers. Interestingly, the autophagic marker LC3 was significantly increased in the F2 offspring, whereas this protein was significantly decreased in the F1 offspring. Therefore, we suggest that the promotion of autophagy in the ovaries of the F2 offspring may be considered a recovery mechanism from the effect of prenatal FB1 exposure. Thus, autophagy corrected the effect of FB1 during the early life of the F1 female rats, leading to F2 offspring with ovarian structure and function similar to those of the control. However, the offspring, treated female rats may experience early ovarian aging because their ovarian pool was affected.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Abdel Halim Harrath
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; (A.A.); (A.A.); (S.N.); (W.A.); (S.A.)
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Aldawood N, Almustafa S, Alwasel S, Aldahmash W, Ben Bacha A, Alamri A, Alanazi M, Harrath AH. Involvement of Autophagy and Oxidative Stress-Mediated DNA Hypomethylation in Transgenerational Nephrotoxicity Induced in Rats by the Mycotoxin Fumonisin B1. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:663. [PMID: 37999527 PMCID: PMC10674455 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15110663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Fumonisin B1 (FB1), a mycotoxin produced by Fusarium verticillioides, is one of the most common pollutants in natural foods and agricultural crops. It can cause chronic and severe health issues in humans and animals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the transgenerational effects of FB1 exposure on the structure and function of the kidneys in offspring. Virgin female Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: group one (control) received sterile water, and groups two and three were intragastrically administered low (20 mg/kg) and high (50 mg/kg) doses of FB1, respectively, from day 6 of pregnancy until delivery. Our results showed that exposure to either dose of FB1 caused histopathological changes, such as atrophy, hypercellularity, hemorrhage, calcification, and a decrease in the glomerular diameter, in both the first and second generations. The levels of the antioxidant markers glutathione, glutathione S-transferase, and catalase significantly decreased, while malondialdehyde levels increased. Moreover, autophagy was induced, as immunofluorescence analysis revealed that LC-3 protein expression was significantly increased in both generations after exposure to either dose of FB1. However, a significant decrease in methyltransferase (DNMT3) protein expression was observed in the first generation in both treatment groups (20 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg), indicating a decrease in DNA methylation as a result of early-life exposure to FB1. Interestingly, global hypomethylation was also observed in the second generation in both treatment groups despite the fact that the mothers of these rats were not exposed to FB1. Thus, early-life exposure to FB1 induced nephrotoxicity in offspring of the first and second generations. The mechanisms of action underlying this transgenerational effect may include oxidative stress, autophagy, and DNA hypomethylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nouf Aldawood
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Sarah Almustafa
- Department of Zoology, College of Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia (S.A.); (W.A.)
| | - Saleh Alwasel
- Department of Zoology, College of Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia (S.A.); (W.A.)
| | - Waleed Aldahmash
- Department of Zoology, College of Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia (S.A.); (W.A.)
| | - Abir Ben Bacha
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Abdullah Alamri
- Genome Research Chair, Department of Biochemistry, College of Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11495, Saudi Arabia; (A.A.); (M.A.)
| | - Mohammad Alanazi
- Genome Research Chair, Department of Biochemistry, College of Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11495, Saudi Arabia; (A.A.); (M.A.)
| | - Abdel Halim Harrath
- Department of Zoology, College of Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia (S.A.); (W.A.)
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Arafah M, Aldawood N, Alrezaki A, Nahdi S, Alwasel S, Mansour L, Harrath AH. Prenatal exposure to acrylamide differently affected the sex ratio, aromatase and apoptosis in female adult offspring of two subsequent generations. Physiol Res 2023; 72:59-69. [PMID: 36545876 PMCID: PMC10069810 DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.934975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/24/2023] Open
Abstract
In the present study, we investigated the effect of acrylamide (ACR) exposure during pregnancy on the ovary of female adult offspring of two subsequent generations. Sixty-day-old Wistar albino female rats were given different doses of ACR (2.5 and 10 mg/kg/day) from day 6 of pregnancy until giving birth. Females from the first generation (AF1) were fed ad libitum, and thereafter, a subgroup was euthanized at 8 weeks of age and ovary samples were obtained. The remaining females were maintained until they reached sexual maturity (50 days old) and then treated in the same way as the previous generation to obtain the second generation of females (AF2). The histopathological examination indicated a high frequency of corpora lutea along with an increased number of antral follicles that reached the selectable stage mainly at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg/day. Interestingly, ACR exposure significantly increased the mRNA levels of CYP19 gene and its corresponding CYP19 protein expression in AF1 females. The TUNEL assay showed a significantly high rate of apoptosis in stromal cells except for dose of 2.5 mg/kg/day. However, in AF2 females, ACR exposure significantly increased the number of degenerating follicles and cysts while the number of growing follicles was reduced. Moreover, in both ACR-treated groups, estradiol-producing enzyme CYP19A gene and its corresponding protein were significantly reduced, and an excessive apoptosis was produced. We concluded that the ovarian condition of AF1 females had considerable similarity to the typical early perimenopausal stage, whereas that of AF2 females was similar to the late perimenopausal stage in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Arafah
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
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Mufti A, Jalouli M, Nahdi S, Tlili N, Alqahtani W, Mansour L, Alwasel S, Harrath AH. Maternal Exposure to Acephate Caused Nephrotoxicity in Adult Offspring Rats Mediated by Excessive Autophagy Activation, Oxidative Stress Induction, and Altered Epithelial Sodium Channel and Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase Gene Expression. Biology (Basel) 2023; 12. [PMID: 36829441 DOI: 10.3390/biology12020162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
This study examined how maternal exposure to acephate-an organophosphate-based insecticide-affected the renal development in rat offspring during adulthood. Virgin female Wistar rats were randomly allocated to three groups: group 1 (control) received sterile water; groups 2 and 3 were intragastrically exposed to low (14 mg/kg) and high (28 mg/kg) doses of acephate from day 6 of pregnancy until delivery, respectively. Further, the offspring of the adult female rats were euthanized in postnatal week 8. Compared with the controls, the adult rat offspring with exposure to low and high doses of acephate exhibited elevated plasma creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels. Additionally, immunofluorescence analysis revealed the upregulation of autophagic marker genes (Beclin-1 and LC-3) in the acephate-treated rat offspring, thereby suggesting the induction of an autophagic mechanism. Notably, the increased malondialdehyde level, decreased glutathione level, and decreased superoxide dismutase and catalase activities confirmed the ability of acephate to induce oxidative stress and apoptosis in the kidneys of the rat offspring. This may explain the renal histopathological injury detected using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Furthermore, a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction revealed that the mRNA expression levels of the Na+/K+-ATPase and the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) genes were significantly higher in the kidney of female offspring than that of controls owing to acephate toxicity. However, there was no significant effect of acephate on the expression of NHE3 in the treatment group compared with the control group. Overall, the present findings suggest that oxidative stress caused by prenatal exposure to acephate causes nephrotoxicity and histopathological alterations in adult rat offspring, likely by actions on renal ENaC and Na+/K+-ATPase genes as well as the autophagic markers Beclin-1 and LC-3.
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Harrath AH, Alrezaki A, Jalouli M, Al-Dawood N, Dahmash W, Mansour L, Sirotkin A, Alwasel S. Benzene exposure causes structural and functional damage in rat ovaries: occurrence of apoptosis and autophagy. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2022; 29:76275-76285. [PMID: 35666417 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-21289-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Studies to date have provided evidence for damage that can occur from hydrocarbon benzene on different tissues/organs. However, little is known regarding the possible influence of this hydrocarbon on female reproduction. In this study, female Wistar rats were treated with low (2000 ppm), middle (4000 ppm), and high (8000 ppm) doses of benzene by inhalation for 30 min daily for 28 days. Benzene exposure adversely affected ovarian function and structure by inducing histopathological changes and altering reproductive steroid hormone release. In addition, benzene-exposed ovaries exhibited increased TMR red fluorescent signals at middle and high doses, revealing significant apoptosis. Interestingly, the investigation of the autophagic protein marker LC3 showed that this protein significantly increased in all benzene-treated ovaries, indicating the occurrence of autophagy. Moreover, ovaries from benzene-treated groups exhibited differential regulation of several specific genes involved in ovarian folliculogenesis and steroidogenesis, including the INSL3, CCND1, IGF-1, CYP17a, LHR, ATG5, and GDF9 genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdel Halim Harrath
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Abdulkarem Alrezaki
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maroua Jalouli
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nouf Al-Dawood
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Waleed Dahmash
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Lamjed Mansour
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Alexander Sirotkin
- Department of Zoology and Anthropology, Constantine the Philosopher University, 949 74, Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Saleh Alwasel
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
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Aldawood N, Jalouli M, Alrezaki A, Nahdi S, Alamri A, Alanazi M, Manoharadas S, Alwasel S, Harrath AH. Fetal programming: in utero exposure to acrylamide leads to intergenerational disrupted ovarian function and accelerated ovarian aging. Aging (Albany NY) 2022; 14:6887-6904. [PMID: 36069806 PMCID: PMC9512500 DOI: 10.18632/aging.204269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
In this study we investigated the effects of multigenerational exposures to acrylamide (ACR) on ovarian function. Fifty-day-old Wistar albino female rats were divided into the control and ACR-treated groups (2.5, 10, and 20 mg/kg/day) from day 6 of pregnancy until delivery. The obtained females of the first (AF1) and second generation (AF2) were euthanized at 4 weeks of age, and plasma and ovary samples were collected. We found that in utero multigenerational exposure to ACR reduced fertility and ovarian function in AF1 through inducing histopathological changes as evidenced by the appearance of cysts and degenerating follicles, oocyte vacuolization, and pyknosis in granulosa cells. TMR red positive cells confirmed by TUNEL assay were mostly detected in the stroma of the treated groups. Estradiol and IGF-1 concentrations significantly decreased as a result of decreased CYP19 gene and its protein expression. However, ACR exposure in AF2 led to early ovarian aging as evidenced by high estradiol and progesterone levels among all treated groups compared to control group, corresponding to the upregulation of the CYP19 gene and protein expression. The apoptotic cells of the stroma were greatly detected compared to that in the control group, whereas no significant difference was reported in ESR1 and ESR2 gene expression. This study confirms the developmental adverse effects of ACR on ovarian function and fertility in at least two consecutive generations. It emphasizes the need for more effective strategies during pregnancy, such as eating healthy foods and avoiding consumption of ACR-rich products, including fried foods and coffee.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nouf Aldawood
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maroua Jalouli
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulkarem Alrezaki
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saber Nahdi
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah Alamri
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed Alanazi
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Salim Manoharadas
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saleh Alwasel
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdel Halim Harrath
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Grinstead E, Stevenson E. Understanding the Effects of Disordered Eating on Fertility and Fertility Outcomes. Nurs Womens Health 2022:S1751-4851(22)00143-X. [PMID: 36002067 DOI: 10.1016/j.nwh.2022.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Disordered eating and subthreshold eating disorders can affect fertility. A negative cumulative energy balance that occurs through inadequate nutrition and excessive exercise is often found in individuals engaging in disordered eating behaviors; these disruptions can affect the normal functioning of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and, thus, fertility. Appropriate screening; assessment; and medical, nutritional, and psychosocial interventions are needed to successfully treat these individuals. Educating nurses about the impact of disordered eating on fertility status will enable those who work with clients of reproductive age to better recognize signs and symptoms of disordered eating and to ultimately provide better care. This article addresses how to appropriately recognize and treat individuals presenting with infertility and disordered eating symptomatology.
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Harrath AH, Alrezaki A, Jalouli M, Aldawood N, Aldahmash W, Mansour L, Alwasel S. Ethylbenzene exposure disrupts ovarian function in Wistar rats via altering folliculogenesis and steroidogenesis-related markers and activating autophagy and apoptosis. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2022; 229:113081. [PMID: 34920183 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.113081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Ethylbenzene is a hydrocarbon that is extensively used in both industry and in the home and has been reported as toxic to various tissues. Nevertheless, its effect on ovarian function remains unclear. For this purpose, we assessed ovarian tissue morphology, evaluated protein and gene expression related to folliculogenesis and steroidogenesis, and investigated the involvement of both apoptosis and autophagy processes in this effect. Female Wistar albinos rats were treated with 2000, 4000 and 8000 ppm doses of ethylbenzene by inhalation for 30 min daily for one month. Ovaries were then removed and proceeded for histopathological and molecular analyses. We found that ethylbenzene affected folliculogenesis by decreasing the number of growing follicles and increasing the number of abnormal follicles, leading to faster female reproductive aging. Interestingly, it disrupted female reproductive hormone balance, including progesterone, estradiol, testosterone and IGF-1 plasma levels. The latter protein, along with GDF-9, significantly decreased in all ethylbenzene-treated groups, leading to the disruption of follicular cell proliferation and development. TUNEL assay study showed that ethylbenzene exposure significantly increased the number of apoptotic cells. The mRNA levels of genes involved in granulosa cell proliferation and differentiation, such as INSL3, CCND2 and ACTB, were significantly decreased. In addition, LC3 protein expression increased, and its encoding gene was upregulated, suggesting that ethylbenzene treatment induced autophagy. In summary, ethylbenzene exposure caused structural and functional disorders of the ovary by disrupting the normal growth of follicles, altering reproductive hormone balance, inhibiting the expression of key reproductive proteins and triggering autophagy as well as apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdel Halim Harrath
- King Saud University, Department of Zoology, College of Science, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Abdulkarem Alrezaki
- King Saud University, Department of Zoology, College of Science, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maroua Jalouli
- King Saud University, Department of Zoology, College of Science, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nouf Aldawood
- King Saud University, Department of Zoology, College of Science, Saudi Arabia
| | - Waleed Aldahmash
- King Saud University, Department of Zoology, College of Science, Saudi Arabia
| | - Lamjed Mansour
- King Saud University, Department of Zoology, College of Science, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saleh Alwasel
- King Saud University, Department of Zoology, College of Science, Saudi Arabia
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Alrezaki A, Aldawood N, Mansour L, Ahmed M, Sirotkin AV, Alwasel S, Harrath AH. Toluene Can Disrupt Rat Ovarian Follicullogenesis and Steroidogenesis and Induce Both Autophagy and Apoptosis. Biology (Basel) 2021; 10:1153. [PMID: 34827146 DOI: 10.3390/biology10111153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Toluene has been shown to be highly toxic to humans and animals and can cause damage to various tissues. However, studies reporting its effects on ovarian function are still limited. In this study, we investigated the in vivo effect of toluene using female Wistar rats. We found that toluene exposure decreased ovarian weight and affected ovarian structure by increasing the number of abnormally growing follicles. Moreover, it significantly increased progesterone and testosterone levels. We also showed that toluene exposure decreased GDF-9 protein and its encoding gene. In addition, it inhibited the expression of most of the genes involved in granulosa cell proliferation and differentiation, such as Insl3, ccnd2 and actb. The TUNEL assay showed that apoptosis occurred at the middle and high doses only (4000 and 8000 ppm, respectively), whereas no effect was observed at the low dose (2000 ppm). Interestingly, we showed that toluene exposure induced autophagy as LC3 protein and its encoding gene significantly increased for all doses of treatment. These results may suggest that the activation of autophagy at a low dose of exposure was to protect ovarian cells against death by inhibiting apoptosis, whereas its activation at high doses of exposure triggered apoptosis leading to cell death.
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Alshamrani A, Aldahmash W, Falodah F, Arafah M, Harrath AH, Alwasel S. Long-Term but Not Short-Term Maternal Fasting Reduces Nephron Number and Alters the Glomerular Filtration Barrier in Rat Offspring. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11040318. [PMID: 33917410 PMCID: PMC8067523 DOI: 10.3390/life11040318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The present study examined the effects of maternal Ramadan-type fasting during selected days in the first, second, or third trimester, or during the entire pregnancy, on the kidney structure of male rat offspring. Pregnant rats were provided with food ad libitum during pregnancy (control group, C), or they were exposed to 16 h of fasting/day for three consecutive days in the middle of the first (FT1), second (FT2), or third trimester (FT3), or during whole pregnancy (FWP). Our results showed that dams in the FWP group demonstrated lower food intake and body weight during gestation. Litter size was unaltered by fasting in all groups; however, litter weight was significantly reduced only in the FWP group. Nephron number was decreased in the FWP group, but it remained unchanged in the other fasting groups. The ultrastructure of the glomerular filtration barrier indicated that the kidneys of offspring of the FWP group demonstrated wider diameters of fenestrations and filtration slits and smaller diameters of basement membranes. This was reflected by a significant increase in proteinuria in FWP only. These results suggest that, unlike with short-term fasting, which seems to be safe, maternal long-term fasting induces structural changes that were non-reversible, and that may contribute to impaired renal function, leading to chronic diseases in later life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah Alshamrani
- Zoology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; (A.A.); (W.A.); (F.F.); (A.H.H.)
| | - Waleed Aldahmash
- Zoology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; (A.A.); (W.A.); (F.F.); (A.H.H.)
| | - Fawaz Falodah
- Zoology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; (A.A.); (W.A.); (F.F.); (A.H.H.)
| | - Maria Arafah
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Abdel Halim Harrath
- Zoology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; (A.A.); (W.A.); (F.F.); (A.H.H.)
| | - Saleh Alwasel
- Zoology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; (A.A.); (W.A.); (F.F.); (A.H.H.)
- Correspondence:
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Abstract
Caloric restriction (CR), an energy-restricted intervention with undernutrition instead of malnutrition, is widely known to prolong lifespan and protect against the age-related deteriorations. Recently it is found that CR significantly affects female reproduction via hypothalamic (corticotropin releasing hormone, neuropeptide Y, agouti-related peptide) and peripheral (leptin, ghrelin, insulin, insulin-like growth factor) mediators, which can regulate the energy homeostasis. Although CR reduces the fertility in female mammals, it exerts positive effects like preserving reproductive capacity. In this review, we aim to discuss the comprehensive effects of CR on the central hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad axis and peripheral ovary and uterus. In addition, we emphasize the influence of CR during pregnancy and highlight the relationship between CR and reproductive-associated diseases. Fully understanding and analyzing the effects of CR on the female reproduction could provide better strategies for the management and prevention of female reproductive dysfunctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayi Sun
- Department of Physiology, Basic Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006 People’s Republic of China
- Department of Clinical medicine, School of Queen Mary, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Xin Shen
- Department of Physiology, Basic Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006 People’s Republic of China
| | - Hui Liu
- Department of Physiology, Basic Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006 People’s Republic of China
| | - Siying Lu
- Department of Physiology, Basic Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006 People’s Republic of China
| | - Jing Peng
- Department of Gynecology, Nanchang HongDu Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 264 MinDe Road, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006 People’s Republic of China
| | - Haibin Kuang
- Department of Physiology, Basic Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006 People’s Republic of China
- Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology and Pathology, Medical Experimental Teaching Center of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
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Yao S, Lopez-Tello J, Sferruzzi-Perri AN. Developmental programming of the female reproductive system-a review. Biol Reprod 2020; 104:745-770. [PMID: 33354727 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposures to adverse conditions in utero can lead to permanent changes in the structure and function of key physiological systems in the developing fetus, increasing the risk of disease and premature aging in later postnatal life. When considering the systems that could be affected by an adverse gestational environment, the reproductive system of developing female offspring may be particularly important, as changes have the potential to alter both reproductive capacity of the first generation, as well as health of the second generation through changes in the oocyte. The aim of this review is to examine the impact of different adverse intrauterine conditions on the reproductive system of the female offspring. It focuses on the effects of exposure to maternal undernutrition, overnutrition/obesity, hypoxia, smoking, steroid excess, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and pollutants during gestation and draws on data from human and animal studies to illuminate underlying mechanisms. The available data indeed indicate that adverse gestational environments alter the reproductive physiology of female offspring with consequences for future reproductive capacity. These alterations are mediated via programmed changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and the structure and function of reproductive tissues, particularly the ovaries. Reproductive programming may be observed as a change in the timing of puberty onset and menopause/reproductive decline, altered menstrual/estrous cycles, polycystic ovaries, and elevated risk of reproductive tissue cancers. These reproductive outcomes can affect the fertility and fecundity of the female offspring; however, further work is needed to better define the possible impact of these programmed changes on subsequent generations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sijia Yao
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Downing Street, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jorge Lopez-Tello
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Downing Street, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Amanda N Sferruzzi-Perri
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Downing Street, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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Zanini BM, Andrade KRS, Pradiee J, Veiga GB, Garcia DN, Mondadori RG, Cruz LAX, Alvarado-Rincón JA, Ramirez RP, Saccon TD, Masternak MM, Barros CC, Schneider A. Calorie restriction during gestation affects ovarian reserve in offspring in the mouse. Reprod Fertil Dev 2020; 32:1338-1349. [PMID: 33243369 DOI: 10.1071/rd20107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of calorie restriction (CR) during pregnancy in mice on metabolism and ovarian function in the offspring. Pregnant female mice were divided into two groups, a control group and a CR group (n=7 in each). Mice in the CR group were fed 50% of the amount consumed by control females from Day 10 of gestation until delivery. After weaning, the offspring received diet ad libitum until 3 months of age, when ovaries were collected. Ovaries were serially cut and every sixth section was used for follicle counting. Female offspring from CR dams tended to have increased bodyweight compared with offspring from control females (P=0.08). Interestingly, fewer primordial follicles (60% reduction; P=0.001), transitional follicles (P=0.0006) and total follicles (P=0.006) were observed in offspring from CR mothers. The number of primary, secondary and tertiary follicles did not differ between the groups (P>0.05). The CR offspring had fewer DNA double-strand breaks in primary follicle oocytes (P=0.03). In summary, CR during the second half of gestation decreased primordial ovarian follicle reserve in female offspring. These findings suggest that undernutrition during the second half of gestation may decrease the reproductive lifespan of female offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianka M Zanini
- Faculdade de Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Kelvin R S Andrade
- Faculdade de Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Jorgea Pradiee
- Faculdade de Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Gabriel B Veiga
- Faculdade de Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Driele N Garcia
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Rafael G Mondadori
- Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Luís A X Cruz
- Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | | | - Renata P Ramirez
- Faculdade de Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Tatiana D Saccon
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Michal M Masternak
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Carlos C Barros
- Faculdade de Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Augusto Schneider
- Faculdade de Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil; and Corresponding author.
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Aldawood N, Alrezaki A, Alanazi S, Amor N, Alwasel S, Sirotkin A, Harrath AH. Acrylamide impairs ovarian function by promoting apoptosis and affecting reproductive hormone release, steroidogenesis and autophagy-related genes: An in vivo study. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2020; 197:110595. [PMID: 32304918 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.110595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Revised: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Acrylamide (ACR) toxicity is quite common due to its widespread use in industry and due to the Maillard browning reaction that occurs in foods containing high concentrations of hydrocarbons subjected to high temperatures. This study aimed to elucidate the female reproductive toxicity of ACR in vivo. Fifty-day-old Wistar-Albino female rats were treated with different dosages of ACR (2.5, 10, and 50 mg/kg/day). After treatment, the animals were sacrificed, and serum and ovary samples were collected for histological examination, hormone analysis, TUNEL analysis, and RT-PCR studies. We found that ACR acts by significantly reducing ovarian weight and serum progesterone and estradiol concentrations. In addition, ACR treatment led to pyknotic, heterochromatic characteristics and nuclear fragmentation, as evidenced by hematoxylin staining. The TUNEL assay revealed that granulosa cells were affected after the oral administration of ACR, leading to the apoptosis of follicles at different stages of growth. Compared with the control condition, high doses of ACR (50 mg/kg/day) significantly induced the overexpression of INSL3, CYP17a, IGF1, ESR1, ESR2, ATG5, ATG12 and LC3 in the ovary. Moreover, LC3 mRNA levels significantly increased with increasing doses of ACR (2.5, 10 and 50 mg/kg/day), suggesting that ACR treatment induced autophagy. In conclusion, ACR induced ovarian dysfunction by affecting steroid hormone release, increasing apoptosis and mRNA levels of autophagy-related genes. The eventual correlation between apoptotic granulosa cell death and autophagy needs to be further explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nouf Aldawood
- King Saud University, Department of Zoology, College of Science
| | | | - Shamsa Alanazi
- King Saud University, Department of Zoology, College of Science
| | - Nabil Amor
- King Saud University, Department of Zoology, College of Science
| | - Saleh Alwasel
- King Saud University, Department of Zoology, College of Science
| | - Alexander Sirotkin
- Department of Zoology and Anthropology, Constantine the Philosopher University, 949 74, Nitra, Slovakia
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Chen L, Wei J, Zhu H, Pan H, Fang D. Energy supplementation rescues growth restriction and female infertility of mice with hepatic HRD1 ablation. Am J Transl Res 2020; 12:2018-2027. [PMID: 32509196 PMCID: PMC7270037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Severe dietary restriction, catabolic states and even short-term caloric deprivation impair fertility in mammals including human, which is often reversible by restoration of the energy supplementation. The dysregulated crosstalk among multiple organs is possibly involved in this process. However, ideal experimental animal models are needed to illuminate functional crosstalk among distal organs during the starvation pathogenesis. We have recently discovered that conditional hepatic HRD1 gene deletion results in elevated energy expenditure and consequently leads to growth retardation and female fertility. Herein, we discovered that both growth retardation and female infertility of liver-specific HRD1 knockout mice could be fully rescued by additional energy supplementation upon HFD feeding. Hepatic HRD1 deletion appears to impair by the pituitary gland functions in secreting critical hormones in growth and female fertility including growth hormone (GH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizinghormone (LH) because a dramatic reduction in the sera levels of all three hormones were detected in liver HRD1 KO mice, which consequently shortened their tibia lengths and impaired the ovary functions in females. HFD feeding for six weeks largely restored all three hormones in liver HRD1 KO mice back to levels comparable with those in WT mice. In addition, the growth hormone induced activation of JAK-STAT5 pathway was inhibited by HRD1 deletion, and additional energy supplementation upon HFD feeding restored STAT5 transcriptional activation. Our studies establish a unique mouse model to study liver crosstalk with distal organs in regulating energy balance in growth and female fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Chen
- Department of Endocrinology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical ScienceBeijing 100730, China
| | - Juncheng Wei
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Huijuan Zhu
- Department of Endocrinology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical ScienceBeijing 100730, China
| | - Hui Pan
- Department of Endocrinology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical ScienceBeijing 100730, China
| | - Deyu Fang
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicago, IL 60611, USA
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Wang T, Chen P, Bian D, Xiao E, Li D. Correlations of PPARα and PPARγ expressions with 1H-MRS quantified hepatic fat content in pups of rats that experienced intrauterine growth restriction. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2019; 34:606-613. [PMID: 31068026 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2019.1611766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Background: Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) measurement of hepatic fat content in intrauterine growth restriction rats has rarely been reported. This study was to explore the association of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha and gamma (PPARα and PPARγ) expression with 1H-MRS quantified hepatic fat content in offspring of rats that experienced intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).Methods and findings: IUGR was established by feeding a low-protein diet to female rats during pregnancy. Male pups of IUGR rats were weighed, liver tissues were collected at the ages of 1 day and 1, 3, 8 and 12 weeks post birth. Visceral adipose tissues (VATs) were collected at 3, 8, and 12 weeks post birth. Male pups also received conventional magnetic resonance imaging and 1H-MRS using a 3.0 T whole-body MR scanner at 3, 8, and 12 weeks post birth. The peak area ratios in the MR spectra were calculated to determine hepatic lipid content. The expression of PPARα protein was detected by Western blot. The expression of PPARα mRNA was measured by real-time quantitative PCR. Significantly lower PPARα protein and mRNA expression were observed in liver tissues of male pups of IUGR rats at 1 day and 1, 3, 8, and 12 weeks post birth compared to male pups of control rats. In contrast, significantly higher PPARγ protein and mRNA expression were observed in VATs of male pups of IUGR rats at 3, 8, and 12 weeks post birth compared to male pups of control rats. PPARα protein and mRNA expression in the liver negatively correlated with the hepatic fat content (r = -0.611, -0.607, respectively), whereas PPARγ protein and mRNA expression in VATs positively correlated with the hepatic fat content (r = 0.659, 0.668, respectively).Conclusion: 1H-MRS allows noninvasive assessment of hepatic fat content in rats. PPARα protein and mRNA expression were significantly decreased in the livers of rats, whereas PPARγ protein and mRNA expression was significantly increased in VATs in pups of IUGR rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Wang
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Medical Center, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, P. R. China
| | - Pingyang Chen
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Medical Center, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, P. R. China
| | - Dujun Bian
- Department of Radiology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Enhua Xiao
- Department of Radiology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Dan Li
- Department of Radiology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
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