Atrazine triggers developmental abnormality of ovary and oviduct in quails (Coturnix Coturnix coturnix) via disruption of hypothalamo-pituitary-ovarian axis. (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Qin, Lei; Du, Zheng-Hai; Zhu, Shi-Yong; Li, Xue-Nan; Li, Nan; Guo, Jing-Ao; Li, Jin-Long; Zhang, Ying
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 207(2015)
• Page Start: 299
• Page End: 307
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: Atrazine -- Ovarian and oviduct developmental abnormality -- Endocrine disrupter -- Quail -- Hypothalamo-pituitary-ovarian axis; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Effets physiologiques -- Périodiques; Pollution; Pollution -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2015.09.044
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: There has been a gradual increase in production and consumption of atrazine (ATR) in agriculture to meet the population rising demands. Female reproduction is necessary for growth and maintenance of population. However, ATR impact on females and particularly ovarian developmental toxicity is less clear. The aim of this study was to define the pathways by which ATR exerted toxic effects on ovarian development of ovary and hypothalamo-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis. Female quails were dosed by oral gavage from sexual immaturity to maturity with 0, 50, 250 and 500 mg ATR/kg/d for 45 days. ATR had no effect on mortality but depressed feed intake and growth and influenced the biochemical parameters. Notably, the arrested development of ovaries and oviducts were observed in ATR-exposed quails. The circulating concentrations of E2, P, LH and PRL were unregulated and FSH and T was downregulated in ATR-treated quails. The mRNA expression of GnRH in hypothalamo and LH in pituitary and FSH in ovary was downregulated significantly by ATR exposure and FSH and PRL in pituitary were upregulated. ATR exposure upregulated the level of P450scc, P450arom, 3β-HSD and 17β-HSD in ovary and downregulated ERβ expression in female quails. However, ATR did not change ERα expression in ovary. This study provides new insights regarding female productive toxicology of ATR exposure. Ovary and oviduct in sexually maturing females were target organs of ATR-induced developmental toxicity. We propose that ATR-induced developmental abnormality of ovary and oviduct is associated with disruption of gonadal hormone balance and HPO axis in female quails. Graphical abstract: Highlights: ATR triggers arrested development of ovarian and oviduct. Ovary and oviduct are target organs of ATR-induced developmental toxicity. Atrazine causes hormone adjustment disorder in female quails. Atrazine upregulates steroidogenic factor and downregulates ERβ factor in ovary. Atrazine disrupted the hypothalamo-pituitary-ovarian axis in famles. Abstract : Atrazine triggers arrested development of ovarian and oviduct via affected the steroidogenic and ERβ factor in ovary and disrupted the gonadal hormone balance and HPO axis in famles.