Subacute and low-dose tributyltin exposure disturbs the mammalian hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis in a sex-dependent manner.

Tributyltin (TBT) is an endocrine disruptor chemical (EDC) capable of altering the proper function of the hypothalamus-pituitary thyroid (HPT) axis. This study aimed to evaluate the subacute effects of TBT on the HPT axis of male and female rats. A dose of 100 ng/kg/day TBT was used in both sexes over a 15-day period, and the morphophysiology and gene expression of the HPT axis were assessed. TBT exposure increased the body weight in both sexes, while food efficiency increased - only in male rats. It was also possible to note alterations in the thyroid, with the presence of a stratified epithelium, cystic degeneration, and increased interstitial collagen deposition. A reduction in T3 and T4 levels was only observed in TBT male rats. A reduction in TSH levels was observed in TBT female rats. Evaluating mRNA expression, we observed a decrease in hepatic D1 and TRH mRNA levels in TBT female rats. An increase in D2 mRNA expression in the hypothalamus was observed in TBT male rats. Additionally, no significant changes in TRH or hepatic D1 mRNA expression in TBT male rats or in hypothalamic D1 and D2 mRNA expression in TBT female rats were observed. Thus, we can conclude that TBT has different toxicological effects on male and female rats by altering thyroid gland morphophysiology, leading to abnormal HPT axis function, and even at subacute and low doses, it may be involved in complex endocrine and metabolic disorders.

The environmental contaminant tributyltin leads to abnormalities in different levels of the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis in female rats.

Tributyltin is a biocide used in nautical paints, aiming to reduce fouling of barnacles in ships. Despite the fact that many effects of TBT on marine species are known, studies in mammals have been limited, especially those evaluating its effect on the function of the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of subchronic exposure to TBT on the HPT axis in female rats. Female Wistar rats received vehicle, TBT 200 ng kg-1 BW d-1 or 1000 ng kg-1 BW d-1 orally by gavage for 40 d. Hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, liver and blood samples were collected. TBT200 and TBT1000 thyroids showed vacuolated follicular cells, with follicular hypertrophy and hyperplasia. An increase in epithelial height and a decrease in the thyroid follicle and colloid area were observed in TBT1000 rats. Moreover, an increase in the epithelium/colloid area ratio was observed in both TBT groups. Lower TRH mRNA expression was observed in the hypothalami of TBT200 and TBT1000 rats. An increase in Dio1 mRNA levels was observed in the hypothalamus and thyroid in TBT1000 rats only. TSH serum levels were increased in TBT200 rats. In TBT1000 rats, there was a decrease in total T4 serum levels compared to control rats, whereas T3 serum levels did not show significant alterations. We conclude that TBT exposure can promote critical abnormalities in the HPT axis, including changes in TRH mRNA expression and serum TSH and T4 levels, in addition to affecting thyroid morphology. These findings demonstrate that TBT disrupts the HPT axis. Additionally, the changes found in thyroid hormones suggest that TBT may interfere with the peripheral metabolism of these hormones, an idea corroborated by the observed changes in Dio1 mRNA levels. Therefore, TBT exposition might interfere not only with the thyroid axis but also with thyroid hormone metabolism.