An in vivo battery for identifying endocrine modulators that are estrogenic or dopamine regulators

We have combined several endpoints into a single 5-day in vivo screening procedure to identify estrogenic compounds and dopaminergic modulators, both of which play important roles in enhancing mammary tumorigenesis in rodents. The endpoints evaluated as markers of estrogenicity included increases in uterine fluid and vaginal cornification incidence, serum prolactin levels, uterine weight, uterine epithelial cell height, uterine stromal cell proliferation, and uterine progesterone receptor (PR) number and decreases in uterine estrogen receptor (ER) number. The endpoints evaluated for changes in dopamine regulation included increases in prolactin and decreases in growth hormone levels. The estrogen agonist estradiol (E2) and estriol (E3), the mixed estrogen agonist/ antagonist tamoxifen (TAM), the full antiestrogen ICI-182, 780 (ICI),and the dopamine modulators haloperidol (HAL) and reserpine (RES) were tested using a three-time/day (8-hr intervals) intraperitoneal dosing regimen in sexually mature ovariectomized female Crl:CD BR rats. All compounds were evaluated over a range of concentrations. This in vivo battery was used to evaluate the effects of different classes of endocrine modulators on the selected endpoints. For example, the estrogen receptor agonists E2 and E3 display a unique profile based on changes in the uterotrophic endpoints (estrus conversion, uterine fluid imbibition, increases in uterine weight, and uterine endometrial cell proliferation) where full and partial agonists can be distinguished by the magnitude of these responses. Both the estrogen receptor antagonist ICI and the dopamine modulators HAL and RES lack these uterotrophic responses. Dopamine modulators can be distinguished from estrogen receptor agonists by the profile of increased prolactin levels with no uterotrophic changes. Estrogen receptor antagonists can be distinguished from agonists by comparing their effects on ER, PR, and uterotrophic responses. For instance, the full estrogen receptor antagonist ICI decreased ER (to almost 0) and PR levels, but has no uterotrophic effects, while TAM decreases ER (to almost 0) and increases PR with uterotrophic effects. The most useful endpoints for distinguishing estrogen agonists and dopamine modulators were uterine fluid imbibition, uterine weight, uterine stromal cell proliferation, and serum prolactin levels. In order to distinguish an estrogen agonist from an antagonist, other endpoints, such as receptor levels, are necessary. The advantage of an in vivo screen is that it utilizes a metabolically and physiologically defined system which is especially important with highly integrative system such as the endocrine system. This battery can be used as a screening tool to identify potential endocrine modulators as well as to identify mode of action following adverse findings in toxicology studies. Last, additional endpoints may be added to identify other classes of endocrine modulators.