Mechanism of phytoestrogen action in Leydig cells of ganders (Anser anser domesticus): Interaction with estrogen receptors and steroidogenic enzymes

Abstract

Phytoestrogens (PE) are plant-derived compounds that have an estrogen-like activity and they can influence male and female reproduction. The possible mechanisms of PE action may be including: the binding to estrogen receptors (ER) and the interaction with the key steroidogenic enzymes. The aim of this study was to investigate if PE has effect on steroidogenesis of gander testicular cells by above-described pathways. The Leydig cells were isolated from testes of White Kołuda ganders at the peak of their reproductive activity (March). These Leydig cells (1 × 10(5)per mL) were pre-incubated with the ER inhibitor - ICI 182, 780 (100 nM) for 3 h and then these cells were incubated with PE (5 and 50 μM): genistein, daidzein, equol and coumestrol during next 20 h or untreated control and the Leydig cells that were previously treated (20 h) with genistein (5 and 50 μM) were incubated for next 6 h with steroid intermediates (20 μM) as testosterone (T) precursors: hydroxycholesterol, pregnenolone, progesterone and androstenedione. Concentrations of T in the samples of incubation medium were measured using radioimmunoassay. Genistein, daidzein, and equol (5 and 50 μM) decreased (P < 0.05) T secretion by incubated gander Leydig cells and ICI 182, 780 did not eliminate the inhibitory effect of these PE. After genistein (50 μM) treatment, basal and stimulated with 22R-hydroxycholesterol, pregnenolone, progesterone and androstenedione, T production by testicular cells was decreased (P < 0.05). In contrast, genistein at lower dose (5 μM) did not affect the stimulatory effects of testosterone precursors. In conclusion, the inhibition of testosterone secretion by the phytoestrogens in gander Leydig cells did not depend on estrogen receptors. The suppression of steroidogenesis in these cells may be in part conducted by interaction of phytoestrogens with key steroidogenic enzymes. However, further studies are required to elucidate the phytoestrogen mechanism of action in gander testicular cells.

Daidzein impairs Leydig cell testosterone production and Sertoli cell function in neonatal mouse testes: An in vitro study

“…Genistein at a dose of 213 mg/kg.bw/day from gestational day 7 to PND13 also reduced plasma testosterone levels in rat offspring (36). Similarly, a clear downtrend tendency in plasma testosterone levels was detected in primary Leydig cells treated with 30 µmol/l daidzein, which is similar to the results of Opalka et al (37,38). Nevertheless, no adverse effect on proliferation was detected in Leydig cells treated with 30 µmol/l daidzein.…”

Effects of estrogen-like plant compounds on the vaginal epithelium pituitary, adrenal glands, and uterus of rats

“…Phytoestrogens possibly act through initial binding of alpha (ER-α) and beta (ER-β) estrogen receptors and interaction with key steroidogenic enzymes. 37 In the light of the pleiotropic effects of FG observed in this work, we further investigated the probable mechanism of action of FG. Experiments were carried out to compare the effects of raloxifene, an SERM, 38 and FG.…”

Identificación de proteínas que se unen a coumestrol en la membrana de enterocitos de yeyuno en ratón adulto CD1

“…En diferentes grupos de aves como codornices (Leopold et al, 1976), gansos (Opalka et al, 2012), patos (Zhao et al, 2005) y gallos (Opałka et al, 2004), se han reportado alteraciones en la fisiología reproductiva por fitoestrógenos. Estas aves domésticas al ser alimentadas con dietas compuestas con derivados de plantas en las que pueden estar consumiendo elevadas dosis de fitoestrógenos, principalmente genisteína, daidzeína, equol y COU, se provocaría la inhibición de las enzimas que participan en la esteroidogénesis testicular, y por lo tanto, disminuir la secreción de testosterona por parte de las células de Leydig.…”

“…En gansos domésticos al ser alimentados con compuestos derivados de plantas, se asumió que podían estar consumiendo cantidades importantes de fitoestrógenos, lo cual provocaría alteraciones en su reproducción. En estudios in vitro en células de Leydig de ganso, se encontró que una concentración de 50 µM de genisteína provocó alteraciones en la esteroidogénesis, inhibiendo enzimas clave como varios de los citocromos; entre los cuales están, P450 scc, la 3β-HSD, la citocromo P450 17α-hidroxilasa/17-20 liasa y de la 17β-hidroxiesteroide deshidrogenasa (Opalka et al, 2012). Del mismo modo, en estudios de microsomas ~ 10 ~ provenientes de placenta humana, se observó una disminución de la actividad 3βhidroxiesteroide deshidrogenasa y 17β-hidroxiesteroide deshidrogenasa con COU, genisteína, daidzeína, biochanina A y formononetina (Le Bail et al, 2000).…”