Dataset Information

The environmental toxicant 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin disrupts morphogenesis of the rat pre-implantation embryo.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Environmental toxicants, whose actions are often mediated through the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) pathway, pose risks to the health and well-being of exposed species, including humans. Of particular concern are exposures during the earliest stages of development that while failing to abrogate embryogenesis, may have long term effects on newborns or adults. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of maternal exposure to the AhR-specific ligand 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) on the development of rat pre-implantation embryos with respect to nuclear and cytoskeletal architecture and cell lineage allocation.

Results

We performed a systematic 3 dimensional (3D) confocal microscopy analysis of rat pre-implantation embryos following maternal exposure to environmentally relevant doses of TCDD. Both chronic (50 ng/kg/wk for 3 months) and acute (50 ng/kg and 1 mug/kg at proestrus) maternal TCDD exposure disrupted morphogenesis at the compaction stage (8-16 cell), with defects including monopolar spindle formation, f-actin capping and fragmentation due to aberrant cytokinesis. Additionally, the size, shape and position of nuclei were modified in compaction stage pre-implantation embryos collected from treated animals. Notably, maternal TCDD exposure did not compromise survival to blastocyst, which with the exception of nuclear shape, were morphologically similar to control blastocysts.

Conclusion

We have identified the compaction stage of pre-implantation embryogenesis as critically sensitive to the effects of TCDD, while survival to the blastocyst stage is not compromised. To the best of our knowledge this is the first in vivo study to demonstrate a critical window of pre-implantation mammalian development that is vulnerable to disruption by an AhR ligand at environmentally relevant doses.

SUBMITTER: Hutt KJ

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2254588 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

The environmental toxicant 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin disrupts morphogenesis of the rat pre-implantation embryo.

Hutt Karla J KJ Shi Zhanquan Z Albertini David F DF Petroff Brian K BK

BMC developmental biology 20080102

<h4>Background</h4>Environmental toxicants, whose actions are often mediated through the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) pathway, pose risks to the health and well-being of exposed species, including humans. Of particular concern are exposures during the earliest stages of development that while failing to abrogate embryogenesis, may have long term effects on newborns or adults. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of maternal exposure to the AhR-specific ligand 2,3,7,8-tetrachlo ...[more]

PMID: 18171477

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Project description:2,3,7,8-TCDD (TCDD) is a reproductive toxicant and endocrine disruptor in nearly all vertebrates, yet the mechanisms by which TCDD induces these reproductive alterations have not been fully characterized. Fish are among the most sensitive vertebrates to the toxic effects of TCDD, and even subtle physiologic changes induced by TCDD can impair reproduction. Previously, we have shown that chronic, sub-lethal exposure to TCDD decreased reproductive capacity, reduced serum estradiol and vitellogenin concentrations, and altered follicular development. Here we investigate the transcriptional changes in zebrafish ovary as they relate to observed attenuated estradiol concentrations and ovarian development. We used quantitative RT-PCR to assess TCDDâs effects on the expression of several candidate genes important in the regulation of follicular development and steroidogenesis. Additionally, global changes in gene expression in the ovary caused by TCDD exposure were identified using Affymetrix Gene Chip Analysis. Our data suggest that TCDD may inhibit follicle maturation via attenuated gonadotropin responsiveness and/or depressed estradiol biosynthesis. Additionally, genes involved in glucose and lipid metabolism, regulation of transcription, and immune function were dysregulated by at least 2-fold suggesting that TCDD alters various integrated networks of signaling pathways. Approximately 89% of dysregulated transcripts contain putative AHR response elements (AHRE) within 5kb upstream of the predicted transcriptional start site suggesting ovarian toxicity is AHRE driven. Furthermore, approximately 49% of dysregulated transcripts contain putative estrogen response elements (ERE) suggesting that dysregulation of estrogen-responsive genes may also contribute to TCDD-induced attenuated follicular development. Patterns in gene expression were correlated with putative EREs and AHREs, and suggest that impacts on the regulation of transcription may play a large role in TCDDâs ovarian toxicity. Taken together, these data illustrate the complexity of TCDDâs ovarian toxicity. Experiment Overall Design: A total of eight samples were analyzed including three TCDD doses (10, 40, 100 ppb, dietary exposure) and vehicle control samples. cRNA targets were synthesized from pooled total RNA isolated from five ovaries from different individuals in each treatment group. Each individual contributed equally to a given pool. Two technical replicates were run for each treatment group. Several genes of interest arising from this microarray study were validated by Quantitative RT-PCR with individual ovary samples to assess biological variability.

Dataset Information

The environmental toxicant 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin disrupts morphogenesis of the rat pre-implantation embryo.

Background

Results

Conclusion

Publications

The environmental toxicant 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin disrupts morphogenesis of the rat pre-implantation embryo.

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