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The simultaneous administration of microplastics and cadmium alters rat testicular activity and changes the
Massimo Venditti1, Majida Ben Hadj Hassine2, Imed Messaoudi2
1Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Sez. Fisiologia Umana e Funzioni Biologiche Integrate "F. Bottazzi", Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy.
Abstract:
This paper confirms the damaging effects produced by MP and Cd on testicular activity in the rat. Oral treatment with both chemicals resulted in testicular damage, documented by biomolecular and histological alterations, particularly by impaired morphometric parameters, increased apoptosis, reduced testosterone synthesis, and downregulation of the steroidogenic enzyme 3β-HSD. We also demonstrated, for the first time, that both MP and Cd can affect the protein level of PTMA, a small peptide that regulates germ cell proliferation and differentiation. Interestingly, the cytoarchitecture of testicular cells was also altered by the treatments, as evidenced by the impaired expression and localization of DAAM1 and PREP, two proteins involved in actin- and microtubule-associated processes, respectively, during germ cells differentiation into spermatozoa, impairing normal spermatogenesis. Finally, we showed that the effect of simultaneous treatment with MP and Cd were more severe than those produced by MP alone and less harmful than those of Cd alone. This could be due to the different ways of exposure of the two substances to rats (in drinking water for Cd and in oral gavage for MP), since being the first contact in the animals' gastrointestinal tract, MP can adsorb Cd, reducing its bioavailability through the Trojan-horse effect.
Insights
This study shows that MP and Cadmium (Cd) damage rat testes, affecting testosterone and sperm development. MP may reduce Cd
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Toxicology
- Environmental Health
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Environmental contaminants like MP and Cadmium (Cd) pose risks to reproductive health.
- Understanding their specific impacts on testicular function is crucial for risk assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the damaging effects of MP and Cd on rat testicular activity.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying MP- and Cd-induced testicular damage.
- To evaluate the combined effects of MP and Cd exposure on testicular function.
Main Methods:
- Oral administration of MP and Cd to rats.
- Biomolecular analysis including testosterone synthesis and protein levels (PTMA, DAAM1, PREP).
- Histological examination of testicular tissue, assessing morphometric parameters and apoptosis.
Main Results:
- Both MP and Cd caused significant testicular damage, characterized by impaired morphometry, increased apoptosis, and reduced testosterone.
- Downregulation of 3β-HSD, PTMA, DAAM1, and PREP protein levels was observed.
- Combined MP and Cd exposure was more severe than MP alone but less harmful than Cd alone, potentially due to MP's "Trojan-horse" effect reducing Cd bioavailability.
Conclusions:
- MP and Cd induce testicular damage through molecular and histological alterations, impacting spermatogenesis.
- The "Trojan-horse" effect of MP may mitigate Cd toxicity when co-administered.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the complex interactions and long-term consequences of these exposures.
