Effects of trifluralin on the mouse ovary

Abstract

Trifluralin, a herbicide used to protect many arable and horticultural crops, was evaluated for its potential toxicity on the mammalian ovary. To this end, adult female mice were fed or not (control) with a trifluralin-enriched diet (150 mg/kg body weight/day) during gestation and lactation. After weaning, 3-week-old female mice from either trifluralin-treated or control groups were used to evaluate whether the exposure to this herbicide in utero and during lactation could induce stress responses in the ovary. It was found that trifluralin exposure caused a significantly higher level of p53, but not of pRb, in the whole ovary, and in particular in granulosa cells. TUNEL staining showed that herbicide treatment did not increase the apoptotic index of the somatic compartment. Also oocyte fertilizability was unaffected, as metaphase II oocytes retrieved from treated mice were capable of forming male and female pronuclei after in vitro fertilization as control mice. However, trifluralin determined a slightly higher number of oocytes with cytoplasmic degeneration compared with control animals. In conclusion, our results suggest that exposure to a low trifluralin dose during pregnancy and lactation does not impair oocyte quality, but can induce a stress response in ovarian somatic cells.

Female Fertility and Environmental Pollution

“…In vitro, low doses of mancozeb (0.001-1 µg/mL) alter GC morphology [88,117] and mitochondrial metabolism [87]. Similar effects on fertilization have been observed for other sprayed pesticides [118].…”

The effects of resveratrol against trifluralin toxicity in the urinary tract of rats

“…Saghir et al (2008) determined the mechanism of thyroid hyperactivity after TRF exposure and demonstrated that increased levels of TSH and stimulation of thyroid gland would cause cellular hypertrophy, proliferation and development of follicular cell tumours in rats. Cecconi et al (2013) suggested that exposure to a low TRF dose during pregnancy and lactation does not impair oocyte quality, but can induce a stress response in ovarian somatic cells, as TRF causes cytoplasmic degeneration in a slightly higher number of oocytes. Orton et al (2009) used a recombinant yeast screen to detect receptor-mediated (anti-) estrogenic and (anti-) androgenic activity and inhibition of ovulation in vitro , accompanied by decreased testosterone production.…”