两种抗雌激素药物对雌性斑马鱼脂肪代谢的影响

为探究雌激素对雌鱼体内脂肪代谢的影响,研究分别使用50和250 μg/L的来曲唑（Letrozole、LET）与他莫昔芬（Tamoxifen、TAM）两种抗雌激素药物,构建了雌性斑马鱼（Danio rerio）雌激素缺乏模型和雌激素受体竞争抑制模型,并检测两种药物处理后斑马鱼肝脏、内脏和肌肉的甘油三酯（TG）含量变化以及肝脏内雌激素和脂肪代谢相关基因的变化。结果显示,低浓度LET处理后雌鱼肝脏和内脏TG显著上升（P < 0.05）;高浓度TAM处理后肝脏TG含量显著降低（P < 0.05）,其他各组处理TG均无差异。基因mRNA检测结果表明,两种浓度LET和TAM处理的雌性斑马鱼芳香化酶（CYP19A）表达均显著下调（P < 0.05）,低浓度TAM暴露导致雌激素受体（ERα）表达显著下调（P < 0.05）。此外,两种浓度LET处理均引起了脂肪酸合成酶（FAS）表达显著上调,微粒体的TG转运蛋白（MTP）表达显著下调（P < 0.05）;低浓度TAM引起了MTP表达显著下调（P < 0.05）,而高浓度TAM组则引起了MTP表达显著上调（P < 0.05）。综合各相关指标,研究结果表明雌激素确实在雌性斑马鱼脂肪代谢中发挥作用,然而不同程度和方式的雌激素抑制会导致不同的脂代谢失调表现,这提示鱼体内雌激素紊乱所导致的脂代谢失调与雌激素浓度和作用通路上的受阻位点有关,并受到多重因子参与的内分泌调控网络的调节。     

黄体酮对成年斑马鱼下丘脑-垂体-性腺轴相关基因转录表达的干扰效应

黄体酮(P4)是一种类固醇激素。为了探究P4的内分泌干扰效应, 选择成年斑马鱼(Danio rerio)作为受试生物, 研究了P4对斑马鱼下丘脑-垂体-性腺轴(HPG轴)相关基因转录表达影响。成年斑马鱼在不同浓度P4(2、11和16 ng•L–1)下处理21 d。结果显示: 暴露于高浓度组的P4能够抑制雌鱼大脑中促性腺激素释放激素2(gnrh2)、促性腺激素释放激素3(gnrh3), 卵泡刺激素(fshb)、雌激素受体1(esr1)基因的转录表达; 然而诱导了雄鱼大脑中fshb、黄体生成素(lhb)、雄激素受体(ar)基因的转录表达, 这些转录变化暗示了P4对成年斑马鱼有潜在的弱雄激素效应。此外, P4暴露对雌鱼卵巢和雄鱼精巢类固醇合成途径中固醇激素合成急性调节蛋白(star)、细胞色素p450介导侧链裂解酶(cyp11a1)、17α羟化酶(cyp17)、卵巢细胞色素P450芳香化酶(cyp19a1a)、11β羟化酶(cyp11b)、羟基类固醇3β脱氢酶(hsd3b)、羟基类固醇20β脱氢酶(hsd20b)、羟基类固醇17β脱氢酶3(hsd17b3)、羟基类固醇11β脱氢酶2(hsd11b2)以及受体信号途径中孕激素受体(pgr)、esr1、ar基因的转录表达没有显著影响。可见, 在P4暴露下, 斑马鱼大脑比性腺更加敏感。总而言之, P4能够改变斑马鱼大脑中HPG轴相关基因的转录表达水平, 进而对斑马鱼的内分泌系统具有潜在的危险。     

类雄激素受体在尖唇散白蚁繁殖蚁和工蚁卵子发生中的免疫细胞化学表达

为探讨类雄激素受体 (androgen receptor-like,AR-like)在白蚁卵子发生过程中的作用,采用免疫细胞化学方法对尖唇散白蚁Reticulitermes aculabialis雌性繁殖蚁和工蚁卵子发生中的类雄激素受体进行了定位检测。结果发现：繁殖蚁和工蚁卵巢中均有类雄激素受体免疫阳性反应。类雄激素受体在末龄若虫和成虫卵母细胞的分化期和生长期定位于卵母细胞质,而在成虫的卵黄形成期定位于滤泡细胞;在工蚁卵巢中,类雄激素受体定位于分化期和生长期的卵母细胞质,无卵黄形成期。结果提示类雄激素受体在白蚁的卵子发生过程中有重要作用： 工蚁的卵巢发育受抑制,其卵子发生相当于末龄若虫水平,但根据群体的变化又可以发育为补充繁殖蚁,有发育的潜能。     

扬子鳄卵巢性类固醇激素受体的免疫细胞化学研究

为探讨扬子鳄卵巢内不同性类固醇激素受体在卵泡发育中的调控作用,研究采用组织学和免疫细胞化学方法,运用激光共聚焦显微镜,对扬子鳄不同发育时期卵泡中的雌激素受体、雄激素受体和孕激素受体进行了检测。结果发现,3种类固醇激素受体在卵巢各期滤泡细胞中均有表达,在4月Ⅱ-Ⅳ期卵泡的滤泡细胞中阳性反应最强;9月卵巢的滤泡细胞中阳性反应最弱;ER和AR不仅在各期滤泡细胞中存在阳性位点,在6月卵泡的卵母细胞胞质中也有表达。结果说明,在扬子鳄卵母细胞生长发育和成熟过程中,3种激素受体通过与其对应的激素结合对滤泡细胞的发育、卵黄的合成与积累以及排卵起着重要的调控作用。       

EE2对稀有鮈鲫和斑马鱼幼鱼体内卵黄蛋白原诱导的比较

利用卵黄蛋白原(Vtg)作为类雌激素污染的生物标志物,比较研究了不同浓度的17α-乙炔基雌二醇(EE2)对斑 马鱼(Brachydanio rerio)和稀有鮈鲫(Gobiocypris rarus)幼鱼体内Vtg的诱导。研究结果表明:5ng/L,20ng/L和100ng/L EE2分别暴露5d后,稀有鮈鲫幼鱼体内的Vtg即可显著诱导,并且其含量随暴露时间的增加而增加,在暴露15d时 达到最大值;而斑马鱼幼鱼虽然100ng/LEE2暴露5d时可显著诱导体内Vtg的生成,但20ng/L EE2在暴露10d后, 5ng/L EE2在暴露15d后,才可显著诱导斑马鱼体内Vtg的生成。这一结果说明EE2暴露下对稀有鮈鲫体内Vtg的 诱导要比斑马鱼敏感。     

七星瓢虫的卵黄发生:植入雄虫的卵巢中卵黄原蛋白的合成

为了证实七星瓢虫的卵巢能合成卵黄原蛋白, 并查明雄虫体内是否具有卵黄发生所必需的激素环境, 我们将刚羽化雌虫的一侧卵巢或数个卵巢管植入雄虫体内.移植的卵巢或卵巢管在雄虫体内能够发育, 其卵母细胞能沉积卵黄, 一部分可达成熟.体外培养证明移植的卵巢可合成卵黄原蛋白, 但受体雄虫的脂肪体不合成卵黄原蛋白, 而且其血淋巴中也不存在这种蛋白.用保幼激素类似物ZR-512处理受体雄虫, 可促进移植卵巢的发育, 但不能诱导其脂肪体合成卵黄原蛋白.此结果表明, 象大多数昆虫一样, 七星瓢虫的卵黄发生的性二型现象表现在激素的靶组织——脂肪体, 而不是激素本身.     

中华鲟Vtg间接竞争ELISA检测方法的建立和应用

卵黄蛋白原(Vitellogenin, Vtg)被认为是一种理想的雌激素和类雌激素标志物, 通过建立一种中华鲟Acipenser sinensis血浆Vtg水平的检测方法, 进而开发一项中华鲟性腺成熟度的诊断技术。首先通过RACE-PCR方法扩增得到中华鲟vtg基因cDNA序列, 氨基酸序列分析预测其蛋白分子量大小为196 kD。构建Vtg功能区段融合原核表达载体pET32a(+)-vtg并表达纯化重组蛋白, 并以重组蛋白免疫兔子获得多克隆抗血清, Western blotting检测显示抗血清的特异性较好。以纯化的中华鲟重组Vtg蛋白为抗原, 中华鲟Vtg多克隆抗血清为抗体, 建立了中华鲟血浆Vtg的间接竞争酶联免疫检测方法(ELISA), 标准曲线线性回归方程为y= –0.2916x+0.6794, 相关系数R2为0.9976。该方法检测的灵敏度为4.12 μg/mL, 最低检测限为0.3 μg/mL, 批内和批间变异系数分别为2.52%和3.42%。通过对不同发育时期雌性中华鲟血样检测, 表明此ELISA方法可初步用于雌性中华鲟性腺发育时期监测。     

雌激素受体在白蚁卵发生过程中的免疫细胞化学定位(简报)

雌激素受体(Estrogen receptor,ER)是一种与性腺发育和精、卵成熟有直接重要关系的性激素受体,不仅在哺乳动物中已经证实与卵子的发生有关系,近年来还发现雌激素受体也存在于雌性文昌鱼早期卵原细胞、卵黄生成期卵母细胞和成熟期卵母细胞中;Osada等在扇贝的卵巢中发现有ER免疫阳性物质存在于卵黄形成期的卵母细胞中,认为ER是基本的类固醇激素受体,有着     

己烯雌酚抑制斑马鱼精子发生及其可能的分子机制

为研究内分泌干扰物己烯雌酚(DES)对鱼类精巢发育和配子发生的影响, 研究用DES(0.1、1和10 g/L, 暴露20d)对内分泌干扰研究的经典模式动物斑马鱼(Danio rerio)雄性成鱼进行了处理。组织学研究结果表明, DES严重影响斑马鱼精子发生。同时, 研究克隆了斑马鱼与生殖细胞发育和减数分裂相关的vasa、dmc1的部分cDNA, 对其组织和细胞表达模式进行了研究。结果表明, vasa仅表达于精巢的精原细胞、初级精母细胞和卵巢不同时期的生殖细胞; 而dmc1则表达于精巢精母细胞和卵巢卵母细胞发育早期。半定量PCR结果表明, DES处理后vasa的表达没有明显变化; 而dmc1的表达则被明显抑制, 且呈时间依赖性和剂量依赖性效应; 而转录因子dmrt1和雄激素合成关键酶基因P450 11的表达也被显著抑制。因此本研究推测, DES可能通过抑制dmrt1和P450 11的表达诱导了斑马鱼生殖细胞凋亡; 并通过抑制dmc1的表达阻碍了减数分裂。       

大蒜素对小鼠脾细胞雌激素和雄激素受体影响的实验研究

本研究旨在探讨大蒜素对小鼠脾细胞雌激素和雄激素受体的影响。将健康ICR清洁小鼠,按性别随机分成三组实验组和三组对照组。实验组分别连续灌服大蒜素14、21和28 d,对照组同期分别灌服等量生理盐水。采用RT-PCR法检测雌性各组小鼠脾细胞雌激素受体(ERα和ERβ)的mRNA表达水平和雄性各组小鼠脾细胞雄激素受体(AR)的mRNA水平。实验结果显示,雌性小鼠连续灌服大蒜素第14和21 d时实验组ERαmRNA表达水平明显高于对照组(P0.05),第14 d时ERβmRNA表达水平明显高于对照组(P0.05)。雄性小鼠连续灌服大蒜素第14、21和28 d时实验组AR mRNA表达水平均明显高于对照组(P0.05)。综上提示大蒜素可增强小鼠脾细胞雌激素受体(ERα和ERβ)和雄激素受体(AR)mRNA的表达水平。     

Vitellogenin 1 is essential for fish reproduction by transporting DHA-containing phosphatidylcholine from liver to ovary

Vitellogenins (Vtgs) are essential for female reproduction in oviparous animals, yet the exact roles and mechanisms remain unknown. In the present study, we knocked out vtg1, which is the most abundant Vtg in zebrafish, Danio rerio via the CRISPR/Cas 9 technology. We aimed to identify the roles of Vtg1 and related mechanisms in reproduction and development. We found that, the Vtg1-deficient female zebrafish reduced gonadosomatic index, egg production, yolk granules and mature follicles in ovary compared to the wide type (WT). Moreover, the Vtg1-deficient zebrafish diminished hatching rates, cumulative survival rate, swimming capacity and food intake, but increased malformation rate, and delayed swim bladder development during embryo and early-larval phases. The Vtg1-deficiency in female broodstock inhibited docosahexaenoic acid-enriched phosphatidylcholine (DHA-PC) transportation from liver to ovary, which lowered DHA-PC content in ovary and offspring during larval stage. However, the Vtg1-deficient zebrafish increased gradually the total DHA-PC content via exogeneous food intake, and the differences in swimming capacity and food intake returned to normal as they matured. Furthermore, supplementing Vtg1-deficient zebrafish with dietary PC and DHA partly ameliorated the impaired female reproductive capacity and larval development during early phases. This study indicates that, DHA and PC carried by Vtg1 are crucial for female fecundity, and affect embryo and larval development through maternal-nutrition effects. This is the first study elucidating the nutrient and physiological functions of Vtg1 and the underlying biochemical mechanisms in fish reproduction and development.     

Characterization of a cytosolic estrogen receptor and its up-regulation by 17β-estradiol and the xenoestrogen 4-tert-octylphenol in the liver of eelpout (Zoarces viviparus)

Estrogen binding activity was revealed in the cytosolic fraction of hepatic extracts from adult male and female eelpout (Zoarces viviparus). The binding moiety was characterized by a single class of high affinity binding sites (K_d=0.59±0.05 nM in males and 1.06±0.10 nM in females). The affinity was significantly higher in males. Binding sites were satiable and binding capacity was significantly elevated in vitellogenic females (2.92±0.28 pmol/g) compared to males (1.67±0.11 pmol/g). The binding was specific to known estrogens but not to other tested steroids. The binding moiety was able to bind to DNA–cellulose and was extractable by high salt concentrations. A time-course study of estrogen binding activity in liver cytosol and of vitellogenin (Vtg) in plasma, after intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of 17β-estradiol (E₂) in male eelpout, was carried out. It was shown that both are inducible by E₂. Estrogen binding activity was significantly elevated 48 h and Vtg 72 h after E₂ treatment. The binding moiety was hereafter designated as a cytosolic estrogen receptor (ER). The estrogenicity of 4-tert-octylphenol (OP) was evaluated by measuring ER and Vtg after i.p. treatment. OP-treatment increased both receptor levels and Vtg concentrations in male fish, indicating that OP acts as an estrogen in male eelpout.     

Androgen receptor immunoreactivity in the male and female Syrian hamster brain

To investigate potential mechanisms for sex differences in the physiologic response to androgens, the present study compared the hormonal regulation of intracellular androgen receptor partitioning and the distribution of androgen receptor immunoreactivity in select brain regions from male and female hamsters. Androgen receptors were visualized on coronal brain sections. Two weeks after castration, androgen receptor immunoreactivity filled the neuronal nuclei and cytoplasm in males and females. In gonad‐intact males and females, androgen receptor immunoreactivity was limited to the cell nucleus. Whereas exogenous dihydrotestosterone prevented cytoplasmic immunoreactivity, estrogen at physiologic levels did not. These results suggest that nuclear androgen receptor immunoreactivity in gonad‐intact females is maintained by endogenous androgens, and that androgens have the potential to influence neuronal activity in either sex. However, sex differences in the number and staining intensity of androgen‐responsive neurons were apparent in select brain regions. In the ventral premammillary nucleus, ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus, and medial amygdaloid nucleus, androgen receptor staining was similar in gonadectomized males and females. In the lateral septum, posteromedial bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNSTpm), and medial preoptic nucleus, the number of androgen receptor–immunoreactive neurons was significantly lower in females (p < .05). Moreover, the integrated optical density/cell in BNSTpm was significantly less in females (1.28 ± 0.3 units) than in males (2.21 ± 0.2 units; p < .05). These sex differences in the number and staining intensity of androgen‐responsive neurons may contribute to sex differences in the behavioral and neuroendocrine responses to androgens. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Neurobiol 39: 359–370, 1999     

Endocrine disruption caused by oral administration of atrazine in European quail (Coturnix coturnix coturnix)

The widely used herbicide atrazine (ATZ) has been reported to exhibit reproductive toxicity in rats, fish and amphibians, with an avian LD(50) of 5000mg/kg. In the present work, ATZ was administered as a single oral dose of 25 or 100mg/kg to female European quail (Coturnix coturnix coturnix) at days 0, 5 and 10 of the experiment, being the animals sampled at days 15, 30 and 45. ATZ significantly increased the expression of hepatic estrogen receptor α (ERα) at both doses at day 30. An important increase was also observed in plasma 17β-estradiol (E2) concentrations. ATZ at 100mg/kg increased the circulating concentration of vitellogenin (Vtg), but this effect was not related with an increase in hepatic Vtg mRNA levels. ATZ had no effect on the hepatic expression of both cytochrome P450 1A4 (CYP1A4) or the related biotransformation activity ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD). These results led to the conclusion that ATZ provokes an estrogenic effect in sexually mature females of European quail. Further studies are necessary to establish the effect on sexual development or reproduction of female and male birds in the wild.     

Prenatal and pubertal exposure to 17α-ethinylestradiol cause morphological changes in the prostate of old gerbils

This study evaluated such as exposure to ethinylestradiol during the prenatal (18th–22nd day) and pubertal (42nd–49th day) periods acts on the male ventral prostate and female prostate of 12-month old gerbils. We performed the analysis to serum hormone levels for estradiol and testosterone. The prostates were submitted to morphometric and immunohistochemical analyses. Exposure to ethinylestradiol during these developmental periods decreased the testosterone serum levels in males and increased the estradiol serum levels in females. Morphologically, prostate intraepithelial neoplasia and disorders in the arrangement of the fibrous components were observed in the prostate glands of both sexes of gerbil exposed to ethinylestradiol during development periods. In the male prostate, the ethinylestradiol promoted decreased in the frequency of positive epithelial cell for androgen receptor (AR) and increased the frequency of positive stromal cell for estrogen receptor α. However, in the female prostate, this synthetic estrogen caused AR upregulation and increased cell proliferation. This study shows that the exposure to ethinylestradiol during development phases alters the morphology and the hormonal signaling in the male and female prostates of old gerbils, confirming the action of ethinylestradiol as endocrine disruptor.     

Ontogeny of an 8S androgen binding protein in rat liver cytosol

Studies were performed to elucidate the ontogeny of a single class of androgen binding protein in male rat liver cytosol which exhibits characteristics of a ligand specific, high affinity (Kd = 2.3 nM), 8S-receptor capable of nuclear translocation. Detectable levels of receptor first appear at 45 days of age in the male and reach maximum concentration at 65 days. Barely detectable levels are seen in females throughout the duration of study (80 days). Gonadectomy in both sexes (65 days) and androgen treatment of oophorectomized females do not alter the normal development of sexual differentiation of the high affinity androgen receptor. After neonatal castration (2 days) and DES replacement however, receptor sites do not undergo differentiation and adult males exhibit female levels. Conversely, neonatal androgen replacement in 2-day castrates partially restores the level of binding sites to control males values (TP, 71%; DHT, 51%). Neonatal castration without replacement retards but does not fully eliminate sexual differentiation of levels of receptor sites in adult males. Likewise, neonatal androgen treatment in females results in a partial masculinization of binding sites. Following hypophysectomy, levels of receptor sites in females are similar to intact or hypophysectomized males; sexual differences in the adult are abolished. These studies suggest that sexual differentiation of specific liver cytosol androgen binding sites in the adult may be partially programmed at birth by testicular androgen and furthermore, adult sexual dimorphism is maintained through an inhibitory influence of the pituitary in the female.     

Effects of a single administration of prostaglandin F2alpha, or a combination of prostaglandin F2alpha and prostaglandin E2, or placebo on fertility variables in dairy cows 3–5 weeks post partum, a randomized, double-blind clinical trial

In female mammals, including humans, deviations from normal androgenic or estrogenic exposure during fetal development are detrimental to subsequent adult ovarian function. Androgen deficiency, without accompanying estrogen deficit, has little apparent impact on ovarian development. Fetal estrogen deficiency, on the other hand, results in impaired oocyte and follicle development, immature and abnormal adult ovaries, and excessive ovarian stimulation from endogenous gonadotropins ultimately generating hemorrhagic follicles. Complete estrogen deficiency lasting into adulthood results in partial ovarian masculinization. Fetal androgen excess, on the other hand, mediated either by direct androgen action or following androgen aromatization to estrogen, reprograms ovarian development and reproductive neuroendocrinology to mimic that found in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: enlarged, polyfollicular, hyperandrogenic, anovulatory ovaries with accompanying LH hypersecretion. Oocyte developmental competence is also compromised. Insulin is implicated in the mechanism of both anovulation and deficient oocyte development. Fetal estrogen excess induces somewhat similar disruption of adult ovarian function to fetal androgen excess. Understanding the quality of the fetal female sex steroid hormone environment is thus becoming increasingly important in improving our knowledge of mechanisms underlying a variety of female reproductive pathologies.     

Hormonal effects of tetrabromobisphenol A using a combination of in vitro and in vivo assays

The aim of this study was to investigate the hormonal effects of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) in vitro on recombinant yeasts and in vivo on mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis). The in vitro bioassays for (anti-)androgenic activities showed that TBBPA had a weak androgenic activity in vitro with recombinant yeast systems carrying human androgen receptor (hAR). In the in vivo bioassays, the gene expression patterns of vitellogenin (Vtg), estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ), and androgen receptors (ARα and ARβ) in adult males and juveniles after exposure to TBBPA for 60 days were evaluated. Significant up-regulation of Vtg, ERα, and ERβ mRNAs was observed in the liver after exposure to 500 nM of TBBPA. In the testis, the lowest concentration of TBBPA (50 nM) markedly induced Vtg, ERβ, and ARβ mRNA expression, but the same concentration significantly inhibited ARα mRNA expression. In addition, in juveniles, 100 nM of TBBPA significantly up-regulated the expression of Vtg, ERβ, and ARα mRNAs. However, TBPPA did not cause histological alterations in the liver and testis of adult male mosquitofish. The results from this present study suggest that TBBPA could display low but multiple hormonal activities despite its low toxicity to mosquitofish.     

Androgen actions and the ovary

Although androgens and the androgen receptor (AR) have defining roles in male reproductive development and function, previously no role in female reproductive physiology beyond testosterone (T) as the precursor in estradiol (E(2)) biosynthesis was firmly established. Understanding the role and specific mechanisms of androgen action via the AR in the ovary has been limited by confusion on how to interpret results from pharmacological studies, because many androgens can be metabolized in vivo and in vitro to steroids that can also exert actions via the estrogen receptor (ESR). Recent genetic studies using mouse models with specific disruption of the Ar gene have highlighted the role that AR-mediated actions play in maintaining female fertility through key roles in the regulation of follicle health, development, and ovulation. Furthermore, these genetic studies have revealed that AR-mediated effects influence age-related female fertility, possibly via mechanisms acting predominantly at the hypothalamic-pituitary axis in a dose-dependent manner. This review focuses on combining the findings from pharmacological studies and novel genetic mouse models to unravel the roles of ovarian androgen actions in relation to female fertility and ovarian aging, as well as creating new insights into the role of androgens in androgen-associated reproductive disorders such as polycystic ovarian syndrome.