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.
Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Portugal.
Paula C
PC
Mota
Marília
M
Cordeiro
Susana P
SP
Pereira
Paulo J
PJ
Oliveira
António J
AJ
Moreno
João
J
Ramalho-Santos
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