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Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants
07:08

Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants

Published on: March 6, 2018

Endocrine disruptor vinclozolin induced epigenetic transgenerational adult-onset disease

Matthew D Anway1, Charles Leathers, Michael K Skinner

  • 1Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164-4231, USA.

Endocrinology
|September 16, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Embryonic exposure to the endocrine disruptor vinclozolin caused transgenerational diseases in rats. These conditions, including prostate and kidney disease, appear linked to epigenetic alterations in the male germ line.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental toxicology
  • Developmental biology
  • Epigenetics

Background:

  • The molecular basis of fetal origins of adult disease remains unclear.
  • Embryonic exposure to environmental compounds can induce disease in offspring.
  • Genetic mutations alone do not fully explain adult disease etiology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the transgenerational effects of embryonic exposure to the endocrine disruptor vinclozolin.
  • To explore the potential epigenetic mechanisms underlying environmentally induced adult diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Transient embryonic exposure of rats to vinclozolin during gonadal sex determination.
  • Observation of F1-F4 generations for disease states and tissue abnormalities.
  • Analysis of potential epigenetic alterations in the male germ line.

Main Results:

  • Vinclozolin exposure induced high and consistent incidences of diseases across four generations (F1-F4).
  • Observed abnormalities included prostate disease, kidney disease, immune dysfunction, testicular abnormalities, tumors, and hypercholesterolemia.
  • Evidence suggests epigenetic alterations in the male germ line contribute to these transgenerational effects.

Conclusions:

  • Environmental endocrine disruptors can induce transgenerational disease states.
  • Epigenetic alterations offer a potential molecular basis for environmentally induced adult onset diseases.
  • This study highlights the impact of early-life environmental exposures on long-term health across generations.

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