title: Prenatally administered dexamethasone impairs folliculogenesis in spiny mouse offspring.
abstract: This study was designed to determine whether prenatal dexamethasone treatment has an effect on follicular development and atresia in the ovary of spiny mouse (Acomys cahirinus) offspring. Dexamethasone (125µg kg-1bodyweight per day) was administered to pregnant spiny mice from Day 20 of gestation to parturition. The processes of follicle loss were analysed using classical markers of apoptosis (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labelling reaction, active caspase-3) and autophagy (Lamp1). The present study indicated that dexamethasone reduced the pool of healthy primordial follicles. Moreover, the oocytes from these follicles showed intensive caspase-3 and Lamp1 staining. Surprisingly, dexamethasone caused an increase in the number of secondary follicles; however, most of these follicles were characterised by extensive degeneration of the oocyte and caspase-3 and Lamp1 labelling. Western-blot analysis indicated that the glucocorticoid receptor as well as apoptosis and autophagy markers were more strongly expressed in the DEX-treated group than in the control. On the basis of these findings, we have concluded that dexamethasone impairs spiny mouse folliculogenesis and enhances follicular atresia through induction of autophagy or combined autophagy and apoptosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Comparative Anatomy and Anthropology, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, Akademicka St.19, 20-033 Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hułas-Stasiak
authors.affiliation: Department of Comparative Anatomy and Anthropology, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, Akademicka St.19, 20-033 Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dobrowolski
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Biochemistry and Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences, Akademicka St. 12, 20-950 Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tomaszewska
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D001343:Autophagy; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D051907:Lysosomal Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D009865:Oocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D052118:Lysosomal-Associated Membrane Protein 1
chemical_list: D053148:Caspase 3; D003907:Dexamethasone; D051907:Lysosomal Membrane Proteins; C052255:Lamp1 protein, mouse; D052118:Lysosomal-Associated Membrane Protein 1; C505409:Casp3 protein, mouse