Fetal programming: in utero exposure to acrylamide leads to intergenerational disrupted ovarian function and accelerated ovarian aging.

In this study we investigated the effects of multigenerational exposures to acrylamide (ACR) on ovarian function. Fifty-day-old Wistar albino female rats were divided into the control and ACR-treated groups (2.5, 10, and 20 mg/kg/day) from day 6 of pregnancy until delivery. The obtained females of the first (AF1) and second generation (AF2) were euthanized at 4 weeks of age, and plasma and ovary samples were collected. We found that in utero multigenerational exposure to ACR reduced fertility and ovarian function in AF1 through inducing histopathological changes as evidenced by the appearance of cysts and degenerating follicles, oocyte vacuolization, and pyknosis in granulosa cells. TMR red positive cells confirmed by TUNEL assay were mostly detected in the stroma of the treated groups. Estradiol and IGF-1 concentrations significantly decreased as a result of decreased CYP19 gene and its protein expression. However, ACR exposure in AF2 led to early ovarian aging as evidenced by high estradiol and progesterone levels among all treated groups compared to control group, corresponding to the upregulation of the CYP19 gene and protein expression. The apoptotic cells of the stroma were greatly detected compared to that in the control group, whereas no significant difference was reported in ESR1 and ESR2 gene expression. This study confirms the developmental adverse effects of ACR on ovarian function and fertility in at least two consecutive generations. It emphasizes the need for more effective strategies during pregnancy, such as eating healthy foods and avoiding consumption of ACR-rich products, including fried foods and coffee.

Effects of benzene on gilts ovarian cell functions alone and in combination with buckwheat, rooibos, and vitex.

We aimed to examine the influence of benzene and of three dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) plant extracts-buckwheat (Fagopyrum Esculentum), rooibos (Aspalathus linearis), and vitex, (Vitex Agnus-Castus), and the combination of benzene with these three plant extracts on basic ovarian cell functions. Specifically, the study investigated the influence of benzene (0, 10, 100, or 1000 ng/mL) with and without these three plant additives on porcine ovarian granulosa cells cultured during 2 days with and without these additives. Cell viability, proliferation (accumulation of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, PCNA), apoptosis (accumulation of Bcl-2-associated X protein , bax), and the release of progesterone (P) and estradiol (E) were analyzed by the Trypan blue test, quantitative immunocytochemistry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Benzene reduced cell viability, as well as P and E release. Plant extracts, given alone, were able directly promote or suppress ovarian cell functions. Furthermore, buckwheat and rooibos, but not vitex prevented the inhibitory action of benzene on cell viability. Buckwheat induced the stimulatory action of benzene on proliferation. Rooibos and vitex promoted benzene effect on cell apoptosis. All these plant additives were able to promote suppressive action of benzene on ovarian steroidogenesis.These observations show that benzene may directly suppress ovarian cell viability, P, and E release and that buckwheat, rooibos, and vitex can directly influence ovarian cell functions and modify the effects of benzene-prevent toxic influence of benzene on cell viability and induce stimulatory action of benzene on ovarian cell proliferation, apoptosis, and steroidogenesis. The observed direct effects of benzene and these plants on ovarian cells functions, as well as the functional interrelationships of benzene and these plants, should be taken into account in their future applications.

Interrelationships between metabolic hormones, leptin and ghrelin, and oil-related contaminants in control of oxytocin and prostaglandin F release by feline ovaries.

We examined the effects of metabolic hormones leptin and ghrelin, and the oil-related environmental contaminants toluene and xylene on the release of ovarian hormones by gravid and non-gravid cats, as well as the functional interrelationships between metabolic hormones and contaminants. Ovarian fragments of non-gravid cats were cultured with and without leptin and toluene. Next, ovarian fragments of either non-gravid or gravid animals were cultured with and without ghrelin and xylene. Oxytocin (OT) and prostaglandin F (PGF) release was measured using ELISA. We confirm ovarian OT and PGF production by feline ovary, demonstrate the involvement of leptin and ghrelin in controlling OT and PGF release, show the direct influence of toluene and xylene on feline ovarian secretory activity, indicate the ability of leptin and ghrelin to mimic and promote the main contaminant effects, demonstrate that oil-related contaminants can prevent and even invert the effects of leptin and ghrelin on the ovary, and suggest the gravidity-associated changes in ability of ghrelin to promote xylene action on PGF (but not to OT), but not in basic ovarian OT and PGF release and their response to ghrelin or xylene.