Acute effects of atrazine on the immunoexpressions of sertoli and germ cells molecular markers, cytokines, chemokines, and sex hormones levels in mice testes and epididymides

Atrazine is currently one of the most commonly used agrochemicals in the United States and elsewhere. Here, we studied the immunoexpression of molecular markers of mammalian testicular functions: androgen receptor (AR), promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger (PLZF), GDNF family receptor alpha-1 (GFRA1),...

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Published in:	Chemosphere (Oxford) Vol. 363; p. 142852
Main Authors:	Abarikwu, Sunny O., Coimbra, John L.P., Campolina-Silva, Gabriel, Rocha, Samuel Tadeu, Costa, Vivian Vasconcelos, Lacerda, Samyra M.S.N., Costa, Guilherme M.J.
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	England Elsevier Ltd 01-09-2024
Subjects:	Animals Atrazine - toxicity Biomarkers - metabolism Chemokines - metabolism Cytokines - metabolism Endocrine disruptor Epididymis Epididymis - drug effects Epididymis - metabolism Germ Cells - drug effects Germ Cells - metabolism Gonadal Steroid Hormones - metabolism Herbicides - toxicity Inflammation Male Mice Mice, Inbred BALB C Receptors, Androgen - metabolism Sertoli Cells - drug effects Sertoli Cells - metabolism Sex hormones Testis Testis - drug effects Testis - metabolism Testis Sex hormones Epididymis Inflammation Endocrine disruptor
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Summary:	Atrazine is currently one of the most commonly used agrochemicals in the United States and elsewhere. Here, we studied the immunoexpression of molecular markers of mammalian testicular functions: androgen receptor (AR), promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger (PLZF), GDNF family receptor alpha-1 (GFRA1), VASA/DDX4 (DEAD-Box Helicase 4) as well as the levels of intratesticular and intra-epididymal estradiol (E2) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interleukins (IL-1β and IL-6, IL-10) and testicular chemokines (CXCL-1, CCL-2 and CCL3) in BalB/c mice after a sub-acute gavage treatment with a gonado-toxin, atrazine (50 mg/kg body wt.) for three days. We found high numbers of AR immunopositive Sertoli cells and low numbers of GFRA1, PLZF and VASA/DDX4-positive germ cells in the seminiferous tubule regions of the testes. While TNF-α level in the testes fell and remained unchanged in the epididymides, IFN-γ levels in the testes remained constant but increased in the epididymides. E2 and DHT concentrations remained unaltered in the testes but were changed in the epididymides. There were no significant changes in the levels of interleukins in the testis and epididymis. Intratesticular chemokines were also not significantly altered, except for CCL-4, which was increased in the testis. Light microscopy of the epididymis showed detached epithelium and some detached cells in the lumen. It is concluded that atrazine changed the inflammatory status of the gonads and highlighted Sertoli and undifferentiated spermatogonia as important targets for atrazine's toxic effects in the testis of mice. Concerning the epididymis, atrazine altered the epididymal hormonal concentrations and promoted histopathological modifications in its parenchyma. [Display omitted] •Acute exposure to atrazine has detrimental effects on the testis and epididymis.•Atrazine decreased VASA/DDX4, GFRA1 and PLZF expression in germ cells.•Atrazine increased AR expression in Sertoli cells.•Atrazine increased aromatase immunofluorescence in epididymides.•Epididymides are highly affected by atrazine's inflammatory and hormonal effects.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23
ISSN:	0045-6535 1879-1298 1879-1298
DOI:	10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142852