title: Androgen signaling disruption during fetal and postnatal development affects androgen receptor and connexin 43 expression and distribution in adult boar prostate.
abstract: To date, limited knowledge exists regarding the role of the androgen signaling during specific periods of development in the regulation of androgen receptor (AR) and connexin 43 (Cx43) in adult prostate. Therefore, in this study we examined mRNA and protein expression, and tissue distribution of AR and Cx43 in adult boar prostates following fetal (GD20), neonatal (PD2), and prepubertal (PD90) exposure to an antiandrogen flutamide (50 mg/kg bw). In GD20 and PD2 males we found the reduction of the luminal compartment, inflammatory changes, decreased AR and increased Cx43 expression, and altered localization of both proteins. Moreover, enhanced apoptosis and reduced proliferation were detected in the prostates of these animals. In PD90 males the alterations were less evident, except that Cx43 expression was markedly upregulated. The results presented herein indicate that in boar androgen action during early fetal and neonatal periods plays a key role in the maintenance of normal phenotype and functions of prostatic cells at adulthood. Furthermore, we demonstrated that modulation of Cx43 expression in the prostate could serve as a sensitive marker of hormonal disruption during different developmental stages.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 9, 30-387 Krakow, Poland.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hejmej
authors.forename: Ewelina
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Górowska
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kotula-Balak
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chojnacka
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zarzycka
authors.forename: Justyna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zając
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bilińska
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000728:Androgens / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D018031:Connexin 43 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000378:metabolism; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011467:Prostate / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D018031:Connexin 43; D011944:Receptors, Androgen