Apolipoprotein E Induction in Syrian Hamster Testis Following Tributyltin Exposure: A Potential Mechanism of Male Infertility

Abstract

Tributyltin (TBT) is a common environmental contaminant used as the active ingredient in many products such as a biocides, wood preservatives, disinfecting agents, and antifouling paints. The TBT is a known endocrine disruptor. The aim of the current investigation was to determine the toxicity of TBT in the reproductive tract of adult male Syrian hamsters and to ascertain whether this compound results in untoward effects on apolipoprotein E (ApoE), a lipoprotein central to sex hormone synthesis. The TBT was administered orally to male Syrian hamsters at doses of 50, 100, and 150 ppm/kg for 65 days of treatment. We determined body weight, testis weight, sperm count, sperm morphology, testis histology, ApoE expression, serum lipid profile, testosterone level, follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR), and steroid hormone receptor expression compared to vehicle-treated controls. High doses of TBT significantly affected each of these parameters in Syrian hamsters. Weight and morphology of the testis were altered as well as sperm production. Real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that expression of ApoE messenger RNA was upregulated in testes from TBT-treated groups compared with controls while the expression of androgen receptor, FSHR, estrogen receptor α (ESR1), and estrogen receptor β (ESR2) was decreased. We posit that exposure to TBT hinders intracellular cholesterol transport resulting in abnormal sex steroid biosynthesis and subsequent spermatogenic defects. Importantly, these effects may account for the decreased level of normal sperm observed in hamsters exposed to TBT.

Tributyltin-mediated hepatic, renal and testicular tissue damage in male Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus): a study on impact of oxidative stress

“…TBT, a known endocrine disruptor, is of major concern in the current context of declining male fertility (Kanimozhi et al 2014). The problematic aspect of TBT is that it accumulates in sediments and may cause long-term adverse effect in aquatic organisms and through the food chain to humans (Aline et al 2014).…”

Rapid changes in ovarian mRNA induced by brief photostimulation in Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus)

“…Primer sequence for Esr1, Esr1 and Cyp19a1 (Phalen et al, ); AMH primer sequence provided by Dr. Ned Place; GDF‐9 (Wang and Roy, ); FSHR (Kanimozhi et al, ); GnRH, LHβ and FSHβ primers (Shahed and Young, 2010).…”

“…Follicle counts are presented as average number per section containing oocytes across the serially sectioned ovary, for 14 weeks of short photoperiod exposure (SD), or 2, 4, or 8 days post transfer to long photoperiod after 14 weeks of SD exposure (PT Day 2, 4, 8). Primer sequence for Esr1, Esr1 and Cyp19a1 (Phalen et al, 2009); AMH primer sequence provided by Dr. Ned Place; GDF-9 (Wang and Roy, 2006); FSHR (Kanimozhi et al, 2014); GnRH, LHb and FSHb primers (Shahed and Young, 2010).…”

Melatonin prevents dexamethasone-induced testicular oxidative stress and germ cell apoptosis in golden hamster,Mesocricetus auratus

“…The golden hamster ( Mesocricetus auratus ) is a long‐day seasonal breeder and, consequently, being studied for investigating seasonal regulation of reproductive functions employing experimental manipulation of circulatory level of melatonin (Bartke, ). Several studies suggest golden hamster as a convenient model for investigating testicular toxicity (Ma et al ., ; Imai & Kitahashi, ; Kanimozhi et al ., ). Melatonin is known to modulate reproductive behaviour in golden hamster by influencing the hypothalamo‐hypophysial‐gonadal (HPG) axis at multiple levels (Roy & Belsham, ; Balik et al ., ).…”