Exposure in utero to di(n-butyl) phthalate alters the vimentin cytoskeleton of fetal rat Sertoli cells and disrupts Sertoli cell-gonocyte contact

Kleymenova, E; Swanson, C; Boekelheide, K; Gaido, KW

HERO ID

673286

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2005

Language

English

PMID

15901642

HERO ID 673286
In Press No
Year 2005
Title Exposure in utero to di(n-butyl) phthalate alters the vimentin cytoskeleton of fetal rat Sertoli cells and disrupts Sertoli cell-gonocyte contact
Authors Kleymenova, E; Swanson, C; Boekelheide, K; Gaido, KW
Journal Biology of Reproduction
Volume 73
Issue 3
Page Numbers 482-490
Abstract Di(n-butyl) phthalate (DBP) is commonly used in personal care products and as a plasticizer to soften consumer plastic products. Male rats exposed to DBP in utero have malformations of the male reproductive tract and testicular atrophy characterized by degeneration of seminiferous epithelium and decreased sperm production. In the fetal testis, in utero exposure to DBP reportedly resulted in reduced testosterone levels, Leydig cell aggregates, and multinucleated gonocytes (MNG). We investigated whether exposure in utero to DBP affects rat fetal Sertoli cells and compromises interactions between Sertoli and germ cells in the developing testis. Histological examination showed that MNG occurred at low frequency in the normal fetal rat testis. Exposure in utero at the dose level of DBP above estimated environmental or occupational human exposure levels significantly increased the number of these abnormal germ cells. Postnatally, MNG exhibited aberrant mitoses and were detected at the basal lamina. MNG were not apoptotic in the fetal and postnatal rat testes, as indicated by TUNEL. Sertoli cells in DBP-exposed fetal testis had retracted apical processes, altered organization of the vimentin cytoskeleton, and abnormal cell-cell contacts with gonocytes. The effect of DBP on Sertoli cell morphology at the level of light microscopy was reversed after birth and cessation of exposure. Our data indicate that fetal Sertoli cells are targeted by exposure in utero to DBP and suggest that abnormal interactions between Sertoli and germ cells during fetal life play a role in the development of MNG.
Doi 10.1095/biolreprod.104.037184
Pmid 15901642
Wosid WOS:000231369200011
Url http://www.biolreprod.org/cgi/doi/10.1095/biolreprod.104.037184
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Comments Source: Web of Science WOS:000231369200011
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword Animals; Cytoskeleton/*drug effects; Dibutyl Phthalate/*toxicity; Female; Fetus/drug effects; Male; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Sertoli Cells/*drug effects/physiology; Spermatozoa/drug effects/physiology; Vimentin/*drug effects; 0 (Vimentin); 84-74-2 (Dibutyl Phthalate)
Is Peer Review Yes
Is Qa No
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