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Vandenberg LN, Mogus JP, Szabo GK. Effects of a TAML catalyst on mice exposed during pregnancy and lactation. Reprod Toxicol 2024; 125:108557. [PMID: 38360075 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2024.108557] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Tetra-amido macrocyclic ligands (TAMLs) are catalysts designed to mimic endogenous peroxidases that can degrade pollutants. Before TAMLs gain widespread use, it is first important to determine if they have endocrine disrupting properties. In this study, we evaluated the effects of the iron TAML, NT7, on hormone-sensitive outcomes in mice exposed during pregnancy and lactation, and on their litters prior to weaning. We administered NT7 at one of three doses to mice via drinking water prior to and then throughout pregnancy and lactation. Two hormonally active pharmaceuticals, ethinyl estradiol (EE2) and flutamide (FLUT), a known estrogen receptor agonist and androgen receptor antagonist, respectively, were also included. In the females, we measured pre- and post-parturition weight, length of pregnancy, organ weights at necropsy, and morphology of the mammary gland at the end of the lactational period. We also quantified maternal behaviors at three stages of lactation. For the offspring, we measured litter size, litter weights, and the achievement of other developmental milestones. We observed only one statistically significant effect of NT7, a decrease in the percentage of pups with ear opening at postnatal day 5. This contrasts with the numerous effects of EE2 on both the mother and the litter, as well as several modest effects of FLUT. The approach taken in this study could provide guidance for future studies that aim to evaluate novel compounds for endocrine disrupting properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura N Vandenberg
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts - Amherst, USA.
| | - Joshua P Mogus
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts - Amherst, USA
| | - Gillian K Szabo
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts - Amherst, USA
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Szabo GK, Mogus JP, Vandenberg LN. Effects of perinatal exposures to a TAML catalyst on the mammary gland and hormone-sensitive outcomes in male mice. Reprod Toxicol 2024; 123:108517. [PMID: 38040386 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2023.108517] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Estrogenic chemicals are common pollutants in wastewater and current effluent treatment processes are not typically effective in removing these compounds. Tetra-amido macrocyclic ligands (TAMLs) are catalysts that mimic endogenous peroxidases that may provide a solution to remove environmental pollutants including low concentrations of estrogenic compounds. Yet relatively little is known about the toxicity of TAMLs, and few studies have evaluated whether they may have endocrine disrupting properties. We administered one of three doses of a TAML, NT7, to mice via drinking water throughout pregnancy and lactation. Two pharmacologically active compounds, ethinyl estradiol (EE2) and flutamide were also included to give comparator data for estrogen receptor agonist and androgen receptor antagonist activities. Male pups were evaluated for several outcomes at weaning, puberty, and early adulthood. We found that EE2 exposures during gestation and the perinatal period induced numerous effects that were observed across the three ages including changes to spleen and testis weight and drastic effects on the morphology of the mammary gland. Flutamide had fewer effects but altered anogenital distance at weaning as well as spleen, liver, and kidney weight. In contrast, relatively few effects of NT7 were observed, but included alterations to spleen weight and modest changes to adult testis weight and morphology of the mammary gland at weaning. Collectively, these results provide some of the first evidence suggesting that NT7 may alter some hormone-sensitive outcomes, but that the effects were distinct from either EE2 or flutamide. Additional studies are needed to characterize the biological activity of this and other TAML catalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gillian K Szabo
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA
| | - Joshua P Mogus
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA
| | - Laura N Vandenberg
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA.
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Mogus JP, Matouskova K, Clark ZW, Jerry DJ, Vandenberg LN. Effects of butyl benzyl phthalate exposure during pregnancy and lactation on the post-involution mammary gland. Reprod Toxicol 2023; 122:108470. [PMID: 37743007 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2023.108470] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
The mammary gland undergoes comprehensive reorganization during pregnancy, lactation, and subsequent involution. Following involution, the mammary gland has structural and functional differences compared to the gland of a nulliparous female. These parity-associated changes are regulated by hormones and may be vulnerable to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). In this study, we evaluated the long-term effects of butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), an estrogenic plasticizer, on the parous mouse mammary gland. Pregnant BALB/c mice were treated with 0, 3, 500, or 18000 µg/kg/day BBP throughout both pregnancy and the lactational period. The litters born to these females were evaluated for litter size and growth. The parous females were then kept for five weeks following weaning of the pups, during which period there was no exposure to BBP. After five weeks of post-weaning, mammary glands were collected and assessed for changes in histomorphology, steroid receptor expression, innate immune cell number, and gene expression. An unexposed age-matched nulliparous control was also evaluated as a comparator group. BBP increased male and female pup weight at puberty and female offspring in adulthood. BBP also altered innate immune cells in the post-involution mammary gland, reducing the effect of parity on macrophages. Lastly, BBP modestly increased mammary gland ductal complexity and periductal structure, but had no effect on expression of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, or a marker of proliferation. These results suggest that BBP may interfere with some effects of parity on the mouse mammary gland and induce weight gain in exposed offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua P Mogus
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health & Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Klara Matouskova
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health & Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Zachary W Clark
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health & Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - D Joseph Jerry
- Department of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA; Pioneer Valley Life Sciences Institute, Springfield, MA, USA
| | - Laura N Vandenberg
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health & Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA.
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Momb BA, Szabo GK, Mogus JP, Chipkin SR, Vandenberg LN, Miller MS. Skeletal Muscle Function Is Altered in Male Mice on Low-Dose Androgen Receptor Antagonist or Estrogen Receptor Agonist. Endocrinology 2023; 164:bqad132. [PMID: 37633264 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqad132] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023]
Abstract
In males, skeletal muscle function may be altered by shifts in either circulating testosterone or estrogen. We examined the effect of acute (2-week) exposures to 17α-ethinyl estradiol (EE2), an estrogen receptor (ER) agonist, or flutamide, an androgen receptor (AR) antagonist, on the contractile function of individual skeletal muscle fibers from slow-contracting soleus and fast-contracting extensor digitorum longus muscles from adult male mice. Single fiber specific tension (force divided by cross-sectional area) was decreased with flutamide treatment in all myosin heavy chain (MHC) fiber types examined (I, IIA, and IIB); similar effects were observed with EE2 treatment but only in the fastest-contracting MHC IIB fibers. The decreases in maximally Ca2+-activated specific tension were primarily a result of fewer strongly bound myosin-actin cross-bridges, with flutamide treatment also showing lower myofilament lattice stiffness. Myosin-actin cross-bridge kinetics were slower in MHC IIA fibers in flutamide-treated mice, but faster in EE2-treated mice, indicating that contractile velocity may be affected differently in this fiber type, which is commonly expressed in human skeletal muscle. Importantly, these effects were observed in the absence of outcomes previously used to evaluate ER agonists or AR antagonists in rodents including weight of reproductive organs or mammary gland morphology. Our findings indicate that substantial shifts in skeletal muscle function occur in male mice following acute exposures to low doses of a pharmacological ER agonist and an AR antagonist. These results suggest that countermeasures to maintain physical function may be needed early in situations that induce similar ER agonist and AR antagonist conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brent A Momb
- Department of Kinesiology, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Gillian K Szabo
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Joshua P Mogus
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Stuart R Chipkin
- Department of Kinesiology, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Laura N Vandenberg
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Mark S Miller
- Department of Kinesiology, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
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Amato CM, Fricke A, Marella S, Mogus JP, Bereman M, McCoy KA. An experimental evaluation of the efficacy of perinatal sulforaphane supplementation to decrease the incidence and severity of vinclozolin-induced hypospadias in the mouse model. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2022; 451:116177. [PMID: 35905821 PMCID: PMC9450412 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2022.116177] [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: 06/12/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Determining the mechanisms of toxicity induced by pollutants has long been a research priority in lieu of considering the mechanisms of resilience that prevent deleterious impacts. Protective mechanisms in many taxa can be therapeutically targeted to enhance resilience to synthetic toxicants. For example, the environmental sensor, Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nfe2l2 or Nrf2), a transcription factor, facilitates transcription of many protective genes. Hypospadias is a common malformation of the penis. The risk of being born with hypospadias increases with pollutant exposure. We use vinclozolin-induced hypospadias in the mouse as a model to test the hypothesis that pollutant-induced birth defects can be prevented and reduced in severity by augmenting natural mechanisms of resilience. Pregnant mice were exposed to the demasculinizing toxicant, vinclozolin, in combination with increasing doses of the NRF2 activator, sulforaphane. The sulforaphane dose that most effectively increased masculinization (anogenital distance) was identified and used to test the hypothesis that sulforaphane reduces the hypospadias-inducing potency of vinclozolin. Finally, a Nrf2 knockout study was conducted to test whether NRF2 was required for the sulforaphane-induced rescue effects. Sulforaphane supplementation to vinclozolin exposed embryos increased anogenital distance in a nonlinear fashion typical of Nrf2 activators. The most effective dose of sulforaphane (45 mg/kg) reduced the occurrence and severity of vinclozolin-induced hypospadias and corrected penis morphogenesis. The sulforaphane-induced rescue effect was dependent on the presence of Nrf2. Nrf2 plays a critical role in protecting the fetus from vinclozolin and reduces the incidence and severity of hypospadias, the most common birth defect in boys in many countries. This work lays a foundation for developing prenatal supplements that will protect the fetus from pollutant-induced hypospadias. Studying the protective mechanisms that drive resilience to toxicants will facilitate innovation of protective therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciro M Amato
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina 27858, USA
| | - Ariel Fricke
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina 27858, USA
| | - Sahiti Marella
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina 27858, USA
| | - Joshua P Mogus
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina 27858, USA
| | - Michael Bereman
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Krista A McCoy
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina 27858, USA; Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Center for Coastal and Human Health, Florida Atlantic University, Fort Pierce, FL, USA.
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Mogus JP, LaPlante CD, Bansal R, Matouskova K, Schneider BR, Daniele E, Silva SJ, Hagen MJ, Dunphy KA, Jerry DJ, Schneider SS, Vandenberg LN. Exposure to Propylparaben During Pregnancy and Lactation Induces Long-Term Alterations to the Mammary Gland in Mice. Endocrinology 2021; 162:6170911. [PMID: 33724348 PMCID: PMC8121128 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqab041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The mammary gland is a hormone sensitive organ that is susceptible to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) during the vulnerable periods of parous reorganization (ie, pregnancy, lactation, and involution). Pregnancy is believed to have long-term protective effects against breast cancer development; however, it is unknown if EDCs can alter this effect. We examined the long-term effects of propylparaben, a common preservative used in personal care products and foods, with estrogenic properties, on the parous mouse mammary gland. Pregnant BALB/c mice were treated with 0, 20, 100, or 10 000 µg/kg/day propylparaben throughout pregnancy and lactation. Unexposed nulliparous females were also evaluated. Five weeks post-involution, mammary glands were collected and assessed for changes in histomorphology, hormone receptor expression, immune cell number, and gene expression. For several parameters of mammary gland morphology, propylparaben reduced the effects of parity. Propylparaben also increased proliferation, but not stem cell number, and induced modest alterations to expression of ERα-mediated genes. Finally, propylparaben altered the effect of parity on the number of several immune cell types in the mammary gland. These results suggest that propylparaben, at levels relevant to human exposure, can interfere with the effects of parity on the mouse mammary gland and induce long-term alterations to mammary gland structure. Future studies should address if propylparaben exposures negate the protective effects of pregnancy on mammary cancer development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua P Mogus
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health & Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Charlotte D LaPlante
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health & Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Ruby Bansal
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health & Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Klara Matouskova
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health & Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Benjamin R Schneider
- Biospecimen Resource and Molecular Analysis Facility, Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA 01199, USA
| | - Elizabeth Daniele
- Department of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Shannon J Silva
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health & Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Mary J Hagen
- Department of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Karen A Dunphy
- Department of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - D Joseph Jerry
- Department of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
- Pioneer Valley Life Sciences Institute, Springfield, MA 01199, USA
| | - Sallie S Schneider
- Biospecimen Resource and Molecular Analysis Facility, Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA 01199, USA
| | - Laura N Vandenberg
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health & Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
- Correspondence: Laura N. Vandenberg, PhD, University of Massachusetts—Amherst, School of Public Health & Health Sciences, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, 171C Goessmann, 686 N. Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA 01003 USA.
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Vandenberg LN, Najmi A, Mogus JP. Agrochemicals with estrogenic endocrine disrupting properties: Lessons Learned? Mol Cell Endocrinol 2020; 518:110860. [PMID: 32407980 PMCID: PMC9448509 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2020.110860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Many agrochemicals have endocrine disrupting properties. A subset of these chemicals is characterized as "estrogenic". In this review, we describe several distinct ways that chemicals used in crop production can affect estrogen signaling. Using three agrochemicals as examples (DDT, endosulfan, and atrazine), we illustrate how screening tests such as the US EPA's EDSP Tier 1 assays can be used as a first-pass approach to evaluate agrochemicals for endocrine activity. We then apply the "Key Characteristics" approach to illustrate how chemicals like DDT can be evaluated, together with the World Health Organization's definition of an endocrine disruptor, to identify data gaps. We conclude by describing important issues that must be addressed in the evaluation and regulation of hormonally active agrochemicals including mixture effects, efforts to reduce vertebrate animal use, chemical prioritization, and improvements in hazard, exposure, and risk assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura N Vandenberg
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA.
| | - Aimal Najmi
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA
| | - Joshua P Mogus
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA
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