title: Estrogen receptor-α mediates diethylstilbestrol-induced feminization of the seminal vesicle in male mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Studies have shown that perinatal exposure to the synthetic estrogen diethylstilbestrol (DES) leads to feminization of the seminal vesicle (SV) in male mice, as illustrated by tissue hyperplasia, ectopic expression of the major estrogen-inducible uterine secretory protein lactoferrin (LF), and reduced expression of SV secretory protein IV (SVS IV).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study was designed to evaluate the role of the estrogen receptor (ER) in this action by using ER-knockout (ERKO) mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Wild-type (WT), ERα-null (αERKO), and ERβ-null (βERKO) male mice were treated with either vehicle or DES (2 μg/day) on neonatal days 1-5. These mice were divided into two groups: In the first group, intact mice were sacrificed at 10 weeks of age; in the second group, mice were castrated at 10 weeks of age, allowed to recover for 10 days, treated with dihydrotestosterone (DHT) or placebo, and sacrificed 2 weeks later. Body weights and SV weights were recorded, and mRNA expression levels of Ltf (lactoferrin), Svs4, and androgen receptor (Ar) were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In DES-treated intact mice, SV weights were reduced in WT and βERKO mice but not in αERKO mice. DES-treated WT and βERKO males, but not αERKO males, exhibited ectopic expression of LF in the SV. DES treatment resulted in decreased SVS IV protein and mRNA expression in WT males, but no effect was seen in αERKO mice. In addition, DES-treated βERKO mice exhibited reduced Svs4 mRNA expression but maintained control levels of SVS IV protein. In DES-treated castrated mice, DHT implants restored SV weights to normal levels in αERKO mice but not in WT mice, suggesting full androgen responsiveness in αERKO mice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data suggest that DES-induced SV toxicity and feminization are primarily mediated by ERα; however, some aspects of androgen response may require the action of ERβ.
authors.affiliation: Receptor Biology Section, Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, USA.
authors.forename: Vickie R
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: Wendy N
authors.initials: WN
authors.lastname: Jefferson
authors.forename: John F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Couse
authors.forename: Kenneth S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Korach
mesh_terms: D000728:Androgens / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002369:Castration; D004054:Diethylstilbestrol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha / Q000378:metabolism*; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta / Q000378:metabolism*; D005262:Feminization / Q000139:chemically induced*; D015870:Gene Expression; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D029607:Seminal Vesicle Secretory Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D012669:Seminal Vesicles / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011944:Receptors, Androgen; C573954:SVS4 protein, mouse; D029607:Seminal Vesicle Secretory Proteins; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; D004054:Diethylstilbestrol; D007781:Lactoferrin