Differential effects of p,p'-DDE on testis and liver mitochondria: implications for reproductive toxicology.
The release of environmental contaminants can contribute to impaired male fertility. The bioenergetics of isolated liver mitochondria have been used as a toxicological indicator, an inexpensive first line model to screen possible effects of several substances. Here we report the effects of 2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-1,1-dichloro-ethylene (DDE) on the bioenergetical parameters of testicular mitochondria. A significant decrease in repolarization potential (after a phosphorylative cycle), state 3 respiration and uncoupled respiration, with a concomitant increase in lag phase was found, demonstrating a decrease in mitochondrial function. Importantly, there was also a clear increase in maximum potential in DDE-treated testis mitochondria, which was not mirrored by more commonly used liver mitochondria. Indeed, comparative studies showed that testis and liver mitochondria have strikingly different sensitivities and patterns of response to DDE, indicating that testis mitochondria should be used as a primary toxicological model for a proper evaluation of putative effects of environmental toxicants on the bioenergetics of spermatogenesis and male fertility.
Mota
Paula C
PC
Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Portugal.
Cordeiro
Marília
M
Pereira
Susana P
SP
Oliveira
Paulo J
PJ
Moreno
António J
AJ
Ramalho-Santos
João
J
D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D003633:Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene / Q000633:toxicity*; D023381:Endpoint Determination; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D007306:Insecticides / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D053078:Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / Q000187:drug effects; D008930:Mitochondria, Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000187:drug effects; D011522:Protons; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D007306:Insecticides; D011522:Protons; D003633:Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene