title: Effects of in utero exposure to Bisphenol A or diethylstilbestrol on the adult male reproductive system.
abstract: The objective of this study was to determine whether in utero exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA) induced reproductive tract abnormalities in the adult male testis. Using the C57/Bl6 mouse, we examined sex-organ weights, anogenital distance, and testis histopathology in adult males exposed in utero via oral gavage to sesame oil, 50 µg/kg BPA, 1000 µg/kg BPA, or 2 µg/kg diethylstilbestrol (DES) as a positive control from gestational days 10 to 16. No changes in sperm production or germ cell apoptosis were observed in adult testes after exposure to either chemical. Adult mRNA levels of genes associated with sexual maturation and differentiation, GATA4 and ID2, were significantly lower only in DES-exposed testes. In summary, the data indicate no gross alterations in spermatogenesis after in utero exposure to BPA or DES. At the molecular level, in utero exposure to DES, but not BPA, leads to decreased mRNA expression of genes associated with Sertoli cell differentiation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: LaRocca
authors.forename: Alanna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Boyajian
authors.forename: Caitlin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Stuart Duncan
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hixon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004054:Diethylstilbestrol / Q000633:toxicity*; D004968:Estrogens, Non-Steroidal / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D010636:Phenols / Q000633:toxicity*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D012741:Sexual Maturation / Q000187:drug effects; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects*; D014599:Uterus / Q000187:drug effects*; D000098826:Bisphenol A Compounds
chemical_list: D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D004054:Diethylstilbestrol; D004968:Estrogens, Non-Steroidal; D010636:Phenols; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C006780:bisphenol A; D000098826:Bisphenol A Compounds