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Estrogen agonists, 17beta-estradiol, bisphenol A, and diethylstilbestrol, decrease cortactin expression in the mouse
Reiko Anahara1, Miyo Yoshida, Yoshiro Toyama
1Department of Bioenvironmental Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Inohana, Japan.
Archives of Histology and Cytology
|July 5, 2006
Summary
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals like E2, BPA, and DES reduce cortactin protein in mouse testes, indicating abnormal spermiogenesis. This suggests cortactin is a key indicator for chemical-induced reproductive toxicity.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Toxicology
- Cell Biology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Estrogen agonists and anti-androgenic chemicals are known to disrupt rodent spermiogenesis.
- Ectoplasmic Specializations (ES) are crucial cell-cell junctions in the seminiferous epithelium, involving proteins like cortactin.
- Cortactin, an actin-binding protein, plays a role in ES adhesion complexes essential for spermatid development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of 17beta-estradiol (E2), bisphenol A (BPA), and diethylstilbestrol (DES) on cortactin protein expression in mouse testes.
- To determine if cortactin can serve as an indicator protein for chemically induced abnormal spermiogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Subcutaneous injection of E2, BPA, and DES into male ICR mice.
- Analysis of cortactin protein expression using Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and immunoelectron microscopy.
- Assessment of cortactin localization in apical and basal ectoplasmic specializations (ES).
Main Results:
- E2, BPA, and DES treatments significantly decreased cortactin immunoreactivity in mouse testes.
- Immunohistochemical analysis showed reduced cortactin in the apical ES of treated testes.
- Immunoelectron microscopy revealed decreased ultrastructural localization of cortactin in the apical and basal ES following exposure to these chemicals.
Conclusions:
- Cortactin protein expression is significantly reduced by exposure to exogenous hormonal chemicals like E2, BPA, and DES.
- Cortactin serves as a potential indicator protein for abnormal spermiogenesis caused by endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
- This study enhances the understanding of cortactin's role in the histological abnormalities of spermatogenesis induced by hormonal chemical treatments.