Exposure to benzo[a]pyrene impairs decidualization and decidual angiogenesis in mice during early pregnancy. (March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Xueyan; Shen, Cha; Liu, Xueqing; He, Junlin; Ding, Yubin; Gao, Rufei; Mu, Xinyi; Geng, Yanqing; Wang, Yingxiong; Chen, Xuemei
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 222(2017)
• Page Start: 523
• Page End: 531
• Publication Date: 2017-03
• Subjects: Benzo[a]pyrene -- Decidualization -- Decidual angiogenesis; 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.2016.11.029
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: Benzo[ a ]pyrene (BaP) is a ubiquitous environmental persistent organic pollutant and a well-known endocrine disruptor. BaP exposure could alter the steroid balance in females. Endometrium decidualization and decidual angiogenesis are critical events for embryo implantation and pregnancy maintenance during early pregnancy and are modulated by steroids. However, the effect of BaP on decidualization is not clear. This study aimed to explore the effects of BaP on decidualization and decidual angiogenesis in pregnant mice. The result showed that the uteri in the BaP-treated groups were smaller and exhibited an uneven size compared with those in the control group. Artificial decidualization was detected in the uteri of the controls, but weakened decidualization response was observed in the BaP-treated groups. BaP significantly reduced the levels of estradiol, progesterone, and their cognate receptors ER and PR, respectively. The expression of several decidualization-related factors, including FOXO1, HoxA10, and BMP2, were altered after BaP treatment. BaP reduced the expression of cluster designation 34 (CD34), which indicated that the decidual angiogenesis was inhibited by BaP treatment. In addition, BaP induced the downregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor A. These data suggest that oral BaP ingestion compromised decidualization and decidual angiogenesis. Our results provide experimental data for the maternal reproductive toxicity of BaP during early pregnancy, which is very important for a comprehensive risk assessment of BaP on human reproductive health. Graphical abstarct: Highlights: BaP impaired decidualization response during early pregnancy. Expression of decidualization-related factors were altered after BaP treatment. BaP inhibited decidual angiogenesis during early pregnancy. The P4–PR-regulated VEGF-A–VEGFR2 signaling pathway plays a key role in this process. Abstract : BaP exposure impairs decidualization and decidual angiogenesis in mice during early pregnancy.