title: Developmental exposure of mice to dioxin promotes transgenerational testicular inflammation and an increased risk of preterm birth in unexposed mating partners.
abstract: TCDD (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, commonly known as dioxin) is a ubiquitous environmental contaminant and known endocrine disruptor. Using a mouse model, we previously found that adult female mice exposed in utero to TCDD (F1 generation) as well as multiple subsequent generations (F2-F4) exhibited reduced fertility and an increased incidence of spontaneous preterm birth. Additional studies revealed that male F1 mice with a similar in utero/developmental TCDD exposure also exhibited diminished fertility and conferred an increased risk of preterm birth to their unexposed mating partners. Herein, we extend these previous observations, reporting that reduced fertility in male F1 mice is linked to testicular inflammation which coincides with apoptosis of developing spermatocytes, sub-fertility and an increased risk of preterm birth in their unexposed mating partners. Significantly, in the absence of additional toxicant exposure, testicular inflammation and reduced fertility persisted in F2 and F3 males and their control mating partners also frequently exhibited spontaneous preterm birth. Although a steady, global decline in male fertility has been noted over the last few decades, the reasons for these changes have not been firmly established. Likewise, the PTB rate in the U.S. and other countries has paralleled industrial development, suggesting a possible relationship between environmental toxicant exposure and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Most current clinical strategies to prevent preterm birth are focused solely on the mother and have yielded limited benefits. In contrast, our studies strongly suggest that the preconception testicular health of the father is a critical determinant of pregnancy outcomes in mice. Future clinical studies should examine the potential contribution of the male to gestation length in women and whether efforts to reduce the incidence of preterm birth should be initiated in both parents prior to pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Women's Reproductive Health Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America.
authors.forename: Kaylon L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Bruner-Tran
authors.affiliation: Women's Reproductive Health Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America.
authors.forename: Tianbing
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.affiliation: Women's Reproductive Health Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America.
authors.forename: Kallie B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Yeoman
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America.
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Archibong
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A & M University College of Veterinary Medicine, College Station, Texas, United States of America.
authors.forename: Joe A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Arosh
authors.affiliation: Women's Reproductive Health Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America; Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America.
authors.forename: Kevin G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Osteen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D007249:Inflammation / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011247:Pregnancy; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000139:chemically induced*; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins