The effects on steroidogenesis and histopathology of adult male Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) testis following pre-pubertal exposure to di(n-butyl) phthalate (DBP)

Abstract

Keywords:Di-(n-butyl) phthalate Leydig cell Steroidogenesis Male Japanese quails Endocrine disruptionIn the present study, we have investigated the effects of 30-day dietary (pre-pubertal) exposure to different doses (0 (control), 1, 10, 50, 200 and 400 mg/kg bodyweight/day) of di(n-butyl) phthalate (DBP) on Leydig cells of adult male Japanese quails by quantifying the transcript levels for P450 side-chain cleavage (p450scc), P450c17 (CYP17), and 3β-and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (hsd) using quantitative (real-time) poly-merase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). In addition, the plasma testosterone levels were analysed using radioimmuno-assay (RIA) and testis was examined for evidence of gross pathology and histopathology. Our data showed that pre-pubertal exposure to DBP produced alterations in testicular architecture as evident by poorly developed or misshaped testis, and altered spermatogenesis due to tubular degeneration and atrophy of seminiferous tubules especially in the high DBP dose (200 and 400 mg/ kg) treated groups. In addition, DBP altered several key en-zymes involved in testicular steroidogenesis pathways in an apparent dose-dependent manner. For example, bi-phasic effects of DBP were observed for P450scc and 3β-hsd mRNA, that were generally increasing at low dose 10 mg/kg, and thereafter, an apparent dose-dependent decrease between 50 and 400 mg/kg. The steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein was at the lowest detectable limits and therefore not quantifiable. These effects did not parallel the non-significant changes observed for plasma testosterone levels. The present data is consis-tent with previous reports showing that DBP modulates Leydig cell steroidogenesis in several species, with a po-tential negative effect on reproduction in those avian species that are vulnerable to endocrine disrupting chemicals.

Alterations in prostate morphogenesis in male rat offspring after maternal exposure to Di-n-butyl-phthalate (DBP)

“…In rodents, most studies tend to expose the animals to greater or equal to 500 mg/kg, which is considered a high dose of phthalates, and effects on the male reproductive system development appear more pronouncedly. However, a few studies have showed some effects on the male reproductive system even with lower doses, such as 100 mg/kg [11,46,14,15,25,[47][48][49]. In this study, two DBP doses were tested (100 and 500 mg/kg), in order to observe the effect of this chemical on prostate development in rats.…”

Technological Innovations as a Potential Vehicle for Supply Chain Integration on Basic Metal Industries

“…This includes governmental support and stakeholder pressures. Innovation is achieved through financial incentives, financial resources or training program since, some authors address the importance of the external context of the company's competitive situation and its competition, as this context can influence the new investments and efforts necessary for a specific supply chain innovation [29]. However, as we a have discussed and shown in the previous study, improvement model development is follows the following approaches [27]:…”

Impact of sublethal di-n-butyl phthalate on the aquaculture fish species Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus ): histopathology and oxidative stress assessment

“…DBP; Weir, Wooten, Smith & Salice 2014), that may affect thyroid function (Mathieu-Denoncourt et al, 2015), neurodevelopment, reduced steroidogenesis, genotoxic and antioxidant status effects (Qu, Feng, Sun & Wang 2014;Wang, Jiang, Ge, Chen, Yang, Ji, Zhong, Guan & Liu 2015), autism spectrum disorders, and development/ reproductive physiology in animals (Aoki, Harris, Katsiadaki & Sumpter 2011;Bello, Madekurozwa, Groenewald, Aire & Arukwe 2014;Bhatia, Kumar, Ogino, Gregg, Chapman, McLaughlin & Iguchi 2014;Chopra, Harley, Lahiff & Eskenazi 2014); furthermore, they are thought to be carcinogenic (Ahuactzin-Perez, Torres, Rodriguez-Pastrana, Soriano-Santos, Diaz-Godinez, Diaz, Tlecuitl-Beristain & Sanchez 2014). DBP; Weir, Wooten, Smith & Salice 2014), that may affect thyroid function (Mathieu-Denoncourt et al, 2015), neurodevelopment, reduced steroidogenesis, genotoxic and antioxidant status effects (Qu, Feng, Sun & Wang 2014;Wang, Jiang, Ge, Chen, Yang, Ji, Zhong, Guan & Liu 2015), autism spectrum disorders, and development/ reproductive physiology in animals (Aoki, Harris, Katsiadaki & Sumpter 2011;Bello, Madekurozwa, Groenewald, Aire & Arukwe 2014;Bhatia, Kumar, Ogino, Gregg, Chapman, McLaughlin & Iguchi 2014;Chopra, Harley, Lahiff & Eskenazi 2014); furthermore, they are thought to be carcinogenic (Ahuactzin-Perez, Torres, Rodriguez-Pastrana, Soriano-Santos, Diaz-Godinez, Diaz, Tlecuitl-Beristain & Sanchez 2014).…”

“…Presently, DBP mode of action is unclear; independent studies have shown phthalates to be endocrine disruptors (4-6 carbon straight side chain compunds, i.e. DBP; Weir, Wooten, Smith & Salice 2014), that may affect thyroid function (Mathieu-Denoncourt et al, 2015), neurodevelopment, reduced steroidogenesis, genotoxic and antioxidant status effects (Qu, Feng, Sun & Wang 2014;Wang, Jiang, Ge, Chen, Yang, Ji, Zhong, Guan & Liu 2015), autism spectrum disorders, and development/ reproductive physiology in animals (Aoki, Harris, Katsiadaki & Sumpter 2011;Bello, Madekurozwa, Groenewald, Aire & Arukwe 2014;Bhatia, Kumar, Ogino, Gregg, Chapman, McLaughlin & Iguchi 2014;Chopra, Harley, Lahiff & Eskenazi 2014); furthermore, they are thought to be carcinogenic (Ahuactzin-Perez, Torres, Rodriguez-Pastrana, Soriano-Santos, Diaz-Godinez, Diaz, Tlecuitl-Beristain & Sanchez 2014). Antiandrogenic activity have been shown in adult male three-spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculetaus) exposed to 15, and 35 mg DBP L À1 for 22 days by Aoki et al (2011); however it is unclear if they have any oestrogenic induction effect in fish (Ortiz-Zarragoitia, Trant & Cajaravillet 2006;Bhatia et al 2014;Chen, Li, Liu & Xu 2015).…”