Persistent organic pollutants affect steroidogenic and apoptotic activities in granulosa cells and reactive oxygen species concentrations in oocytes in the mouse
Kinga Krawczyk A , Weronika Marynowicz A , Karolina Pich A , Oliwia Jędruch B , Gabriela Kania B , Justyna Gogola-Mruk A , Wacław Tworzydło C , Zbigniew Polański B and Anna Ptak A *A Laboratory of Physiology and Toxicology of Reproduction, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 9, 30-387 Krakow, Poland.
B Laboratory of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 9, 30-387 Krakow, Poland.
C Department of Developmental Biology and Invertebrate Morphology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 9, 30-387 Krakow, Poland.
Reproduction, Fertility and Development 35(3) 294-305 https://doi.org/10.1071/RD21326
Published online: 21 November 2022
© 2023 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY)
Abstract
Context: The destruction of granulosa cells (GCs), the main functional cell type in the ovary, prevents steroid hormone production, which in turn may damage oocytes, resulting in ovarian failure. The accumulation of a number of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the ovarian follicular fluid (FF) has been documented, which raises serious questions regarding their impact on female fertility.
Aims: We aimed to determine whether a mixture of POPs reflecting the profile found in FF influences mouse GCs or oocyte function and viability.
Methods: A mixture of POPs, comprising perfluorooctanoate, perfluorooctane sulfonate, 2,2-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene, polychlorinated biphenyl 153, and hexachlorobenzene, was used. In addition to using the exact concentration of POPs previously measured in human FF, we tested two other mixtures, one with10-fold lower and another with 10-fold higher concentrations of each POP.
Key results: Steroidogenesis was disrupted in GCs by the POP mixture, as demonstrated by lower oestradiol and progesterone secretion and greater lipid droplet accumulation. Furthermore, the POP mixture reduced GC viability and increased apoptosis, assessed using caspase-3 activity. The POP mixture significantly increased the number of oocytes that successfully progressed to the second meiotic metaphase and the oocyte reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentration.
Conclusions: Thus, a mixture of POPs that are typically present in human FF has detrimental effects on ovarian function: it reduces the viability of GCs, and increases the oocyte concentrations of ROS.
Implications: These results indicate that chronic exposure to POPs adversely affects female reproductive health.
Keywords: apoptosis, granulosa cell, lipid accumulation, mitochondrial activity, mouse, oocyte, persistent organic pollutant, reactive oxygen species, steroidogenesis.
References
Babayev, E, and Seli, E (2015). Oocyte mitochondrial function and reproduction. Current Opinion in Obstetrics & Gynecology 27, 175–181.| Oocyte mitochondrial function and reproduction.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bourque, AC, Singh, A, Lakhanpal, N, McMahon, A, and Foster, WG (1995). Ultrastructural changes in ovarian follicles of monkeys administered hexachlorobenzene. American Journal of Veterinary Research 56, 1673–1677.
Campagna, C, Sirard, M-A, Ayotte, P, and Bailey, JL (2001). Impaired maturation, fertilization, and embryonic development of porcine oocytes following exposure to an environmentally relevant organochlorine mixture. Biology of Reproduction 65, 554–560.
| Impaired maturation, fertilization, and embryonic development of porcine oocytes following exposure to an environmentally relevant organochlorine mixture.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Chaparro-Ortega, A, Betancourt, M, Rosas, P, Vázquez-Cuevas, FG, Chavira, R, Bonilla, E, Casas, E, and Ducolomb, Y (2018). Endocrine disruptor effect of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) on porcine ovarian cell steroidogenesis. Toxicology in Vitro 46, 86–93.
| Endocrine disruptor effect of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) on porcine ovarian cell steroidogenesis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Chen, J, Miao, Y, Gao, Q, Cui, Z, and Xiong, B (2021). Exposure to perfluorooctane sulfonate in vitro perturbs the quality of porcine oocytes via induction of apoptosis. Environmental Pollution 284, 117508.
| Exposure to perfluorooctane sulfonate in vitro perturbs the quality of porcine oocytes via induction of apoptosis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Eggert, A, Cisneros-Montalvo, S, Anandan, S, Musilli, S, Stukenborg, J-B, Adamsson, A, Nurmio, M, and Toppari, J (2019). The effects of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) on fetal and adult rat testis. Reproductive Toxicology 90, 68–76.
| The effects of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) on fetal and adult rat testis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Foster, WG, McMahon, A, Villeneuve, DC, and Jarrell, JF (1992). Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) suppresses circulating progesterone concentrations during the luteal phase in the cynomolgus monkey. Journal of Applied Toxicology 12, 13–17.
| Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) suppresses circulating progesterone concentrations during the luteal phase in the cynomolgus monkey.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Garris, DR, and Garris, BL (2004). Genomic modulation of diabetes (db/db) and obese (ob/ob) mutation-induced hypercytolipidemia: cytochemical basis of female reproductive tract involution. Cell and Tissue Research 316, 233–241.
| Genomic modulation of diabetes (db/db) and obese (ob/ob) mutation-induced hypercytolipidemia: cytochemical basis of female reproductive tract involution.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gogola, J, Hoffmann, M, and Ptak, A (2019). Persistent endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in human follicular fluid stimulate the proliferation of granulosa tumor spheroids via GPR30 and IGF1R but not via the classic estrogen receptors. Chemosphere 217, 100–110.
| Persistent endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in human follicular fluid stimulate the proliferation of granulosa tumor spheroids via GPR30 and IGF1R but not via the classic estrogen receptors.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gogola, J, Hoffmann, M, Nimpsz, S, and Ptak, A (2020). Disruption of 17β-estradiol secretion by persistent organic pollutants present in human follicular fluid is dependent on the potential of ovarian granulosa tumor cell lines to metabolize estrogen. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology 503, 110698.
| Disruption of 17β-estradiol secretion by persistent organic pollutants present in human follicular fluid is dependent on the potential of ovarian granulosa tumor cell lines to metabolize estrogen.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Govindaraj, V, Keralapura Basavaraju, R, and Rao, AJ (2015). Changes in the expression of DNA double strand break repair genes in primordial follicles from immature and aged rats. Reproductive BioMedicine Online 30, 303–310.
| Changes in the expression of DNA double strand break repair genes in primordial follicles from immature and aged rats.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gregoraszczuk, EL, Sowa, M, Kajta, M, Ptak, A, and Wójtowicz, A (2003). Effect of PCB 126 and PCB 153 on incidence of apoptosis in cultured theca and granulosa cells collected from small, medium and large preovulatory follicles. Reproductive Toxicology 17, 465–471.
| Effect of PCB 126 and PCB 153 on incidence of apoptosis in cultured theca and granulosa cells collected from small, medium and large preovulatory follicles.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hardell, E, Carlberg, M, Nordström, M, and van Bavel, B (2010). Time trends of persistent organic pollutants in Sweden during 1993–2007 and relation to age, gender, body mass index, breast-feeding and parity. Science of the Total Environment 408, 4412–4419.
| Time trends of persistent organic pollutants in Sweden during 1993–2007 and relation to age, gender, body mass index, breast-feeding and parity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jamnongjit, M, and Hammes, SR (2006). Ovarian steroids: the good, the bad, and the signals that raise them. Cell Cycle 5, 1178–1183.
| Ovarian steroids: the good, the bad, and the signals that raise them.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kala, M, Shaikh, MV, and Nivsarkar, M (2017). Equilibrium between anti-oxidants and reactive oxygen species: a requisite for oocyte development and maturation. Reproductive Medicine and Biology 16, 28–35.
| Equilibrium between anti-oxidants and reactive oxygen species: a requisite for oocyte development and maturation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kamarianos, A, Karamanlis, X, Theodosiadou, E, Goulas, P, and Smokovitis, A (2003). The presence of environmental pollutants in the semen of farm animals (bull, ram, goat, and boar). Reproductive Toxicology 17, 439–445.
| The presence of environmental pollutants in the semen of farm animals (bull, ram, goat, and boar).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kholkute, SD, Rodriguez, J, and Richard Dukelow, W (1994). Effects of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on in vitro fertilization in the mouse. Reproductive Toxicology 8, 69–73.
| Effects of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on in vitro fertilization in the mouse.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kirman, CR, Aylward, LL, Hays, SM, Krishnan, K, and Nong, A (2011). Biomonitoring equivalents for DDT/DDE. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology 60, 172–180.
| Biomonitoring equivalents for DDT/DDE.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kramer, MS (2003). The epidemiology of adverse pregnancy outcomes: an overview. The Journal of Nutrition 133, 1592S–1596S.
| The epidemiology of adverse pregnancy outcomes: an overview.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lindahl, T (1993). Instability and decay of the primary structure of DNA. Nature 362, 709–715.
| Instability and decay of the primary structure of DNA.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Livak, KJ, and Schmittgen, TD (2001). Analysis of relative gene expression data using realtime quantitative PCR and the 2−ΔΔCT method. Methods 25, 402–408.
| Analysis of relative gene expression data using realtime quantitative PCR and the 2−ΔΔCT method.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
López-Arellano, P, López-Arellano, K, Luna, J, Flores, D, Jiménez-Salazar, J, Gavia, G, Teteltitla, M, Rodríguez, JJ, Domínguez, A, Casas, E, Bahena, I, Betancourt, M, González, C, Ducolomb, Y, and Bonilla, E (2019). Perfluorooctanoic acid disrupts gap junction intercellular communication and induces reactive oxygen species formation and apoptosis in mouse ovaries. Environmental Toxicology 34, 92–98.
| Perfluorooctanoic acid disrupts gap junction intercellular communication and induces reactive oxygen species formation and apoptosis in mouse ovaries.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Luderer U (2014) Ovarian toxicity from reactive oxygen species. In ‘Vitamins & hormones. Vol. 94’. (Ed. G Litwack) pp. 99–127. (Academic Press) https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-800095-3.00004-3
Manna, PR, Stetson, CL, Slominski, AT, and Pruitt, K (2016). Role of the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein in health and disease. Endocrine 51, 7–21.
| Role of the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein in health and disease.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Młynarczuk, J, and Kotwica, J (2006). Influence of polychlorinated biphenyls on LH-stimulated secretion of progestereone and oxytocin from bovine luteal cells. Polish Journal of Veterinary Sciences 9, 101–108.
Mrema, EJ, Rubino, FM, Brambilla, G, Moretto, A, Tsatsakis, AM, and Colosio, C (2013). Persistent organochlorinated pesticides and mechanisms of their toxicity. Toxicology 307, 74–88.
| Persistent organochlorinated pesticides and mechanisms of their toxicity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Nejaty, H, Lacey, M, and Whitehead, SA (2001). Differing effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals on basal and FSH-stimulated progesterone production in rat granulosa-luteal cells. Experimental Biology and Medicine 226, 570–576.
| Differing effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals on basal and FSH-stimulated progesterone production in rat granulosa-luteal cells.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Olsen, GW, and Zobel, LR (2007). Assessment of lipid, hepatic, and thyroid parameters with serum perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) concentrations in fluorochemical production workers. International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health 81, 231–246.
| Assessment of lipid, hepatic, and thyroid parameters with serum perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) concentrations in fluorochemical production workers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Petro, EML, Leroy, JLMR, Covaci, A, Fransen, E, De Neubourg, D, Dirtu, AC, De Pauw, I, and Bols, PEJ (2012). Endocrine-disrupting chemicals in human follicular fluid impair in vitro oocyte developmental competence. Human Reproduction 27, 1025–1033.
| Endocrine-disrupting chemicals in human follicular fluid impair in vitro oocyte developmental competence.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Petro, EML, D’Hollander, W, Covaci, A, Bervoets, L, Fransen, E, De Neubourg, D, De Pauw, I, Leroy, JLMR, Jorssen, EPA, and Bols, PEJ (2014). Perfluoroalkyl acid contamination of follicular fluid and its consequence for in vitro oocyte developmental competence. Science of the Total Environment 496, 282–288.
| Perfluoroalkyl acid contamination of follicular fluid and its consequence for in vitro oocyte developmental competence.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Qiu, L, Wang, H, Dong, T, Huang, J, Li, T, Ren, H, Wang, X, Qu, J, and Wang, S (2021). Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) disrupts testosterone biosynthesis via CREB/CRTC2/StAR signaling pathway in Leydig cells. Toxicology 449, 152663.
| Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) disrupts testosterone biosynthesis via CREB/CRTC2/StAR signaling pathway in Leydig cells.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Raviv, S, Hantisteanu, S, Sharon, SM, Atzmon, Y, Michaeli, M, and Shalom-Paz, E (2020). Lipid droplets in granulosa cells are correlated with reduced pregnancy rates. Journal of Ovarian Research 13, 4.
| Lipid droplets in granulosa cells are correlated with reduced pregnancy rates.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Rémillard-Labrosse, G, Dean, NL, Allais, A, Mihajlović, AI, Jin, SG, Son, W-Y, Chung, J-T, Pansera, M, Henderson, S, Mahfoudh, A, Steiner, N, Agapitou, K, Marangos, P, Buckett, W, Ligeti-Ruiter, J, and FitzHarris, G (2020). Human oocytes harboring damaged DNA can complete meiosis I. Fertility and Sterility 113, 1080–1089.e2.
| Human oocytes harboring damaged DNA can complete meiosis I.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Revelli, A, Piane, LD, Casano, S, Molinari, E, Massobrio, M, and Rinaudo, P (2009). Follicular fluid content and oocyte quality: from single biochemical markers to metabolomics. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology 7, 40.
| Follicular fluid content and oocyte quality: from single biochemical markers to metabolomics.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ritter, R, Scheringer, M, MacLeod, M, Moeckel, C, Jones, KC, and Hungerbühler, K (2011). Intrinsic human elimination half-lives of polychlorinated biphenyls derived from the temporal evolution of cross-sectional biomonitoring data from the United Kingdom. Environmental Health Perspectives 119, 225–231.
| Intrinsic human elimination half-lives of polychlorinated biphenyls derived from the temporal evolution of cross-sectional biomonitoring data from the United Kingdom.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Santos, TA, El Shourbagy, S, and St. John, JC (2006). Mitochondrial content reflects oocyte variability and fertilization outcome. Fertility and Sterility 85, 584–591.
| Mitochondrial content reflects oocyte variability and fertilization outcome.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Saoudi, A, Fréry, N, Zeghnoun, A, Bidondo, M-L, Deschamps, V, Göen, T, Garnier, R, and Guldner, L (2014). Serum levels of organochlorine pesticides in the French adult population: the French National Nutrition and Health Study (ENNS), (2006–2007). Science of the Total Environment 472, 1089–1099.
| Serum levels of organochlorine pesticides in the French adult population: the French National Nutrition and Health Study (ENNS), (2006–2007).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Schaffer, JE (2003). Lipotoxicity: when tissues overeat. Current Opinion in Lipidology 14, 281–287.
| Lipotoxicity: when tissues overeat.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Serke, H, Nowicki, M, Kosacka, J, Schröder, T, Klöting, N, Blüher, M, Kallendrusch, S, and Spanel-Borowski, K (2012). Leptin-deficient (ob/ob) mouse ovaries show fatty degeneration, enhanced apoptosis and decreased expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory enzyme. International Journal of Obesity 36, 1047–1053.
| Leptin-deficient (ob/ob) mouse ovaries show fatty degeneration, enhanced apoptosis and decreased expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory enzyme.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Silbergeld, EK, and Patrick, TE (2005). Environmental exposures, toxicologic mechanisms, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 192, S11–S21.
| Environmental exposures, toxicologic mechanisms, and adverse pregnancy outcomes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Springer, JE, Azbill, RD, and Carlson, SL (1998). A rapid and sensitive assay for measuring mitochondrial metabolic activity in isolated neural tissue. Brain Research Protocols 2, 259–263.
| A rapid and sensitive assay for measuring mitochondrial metabolic activity in isolated neural tissue.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Stillerman, KP, Mattison, DR, Giudice, LC, and Woodruff, TJ (2008). Environmental exposures and adverse pregnancy outcomes: a review of the science. Reproductive Sciences 15, 631–650.
| Environmental exposures and adverse pregnancy outcomes: a review of the science.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Stojkovic, M, Machado, SA, Stojkovic, P, Zakhartchenko, V, Hutzler, P, Gonçalves, PB, and Wolf, E (2001). Mitochondrial distribution and adenosine triphosphate content of bovine oocytes before and after in vitro maturation: correlation with morphological criteria and developmental capacity after in vitro fertilization and culture. Biology of Reproduction 64, 904–909.
| Mitochondrial distribution and adenosine triphosphate content of bovine oocytes before and after in vitro maturation: correlation with morphological criteria and developmental capacity after in vitro fertilization and culture.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Titus, S, Li, F, Stobezki, R, Akula, K, Unsal, E, Jeong, K, Dickler, M, Robson, M, Moy, F, Goswami, S, and Oktay, K (2013). Impairment of BRCA1-related DNA double-strand break repair leads to ovarian aging in mice and humans. Science Translational Medicine 5, 172ra21.
| Impairment of BRCA1-related DNA double-strand break repair leads to ovarian aging in mice and humans.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Vandenberg, LN, Colborn, T, Hayes, TB, Heindel, JJ, Jacobs, DR, Lee, D-H, Shioda, T, Soto, AM, vom Saal, FS, Welshons, WV, Zoeller, RT, and Myers, JP (2012). Hormones and endocrine-disrupting chemicals: low-dose effects and nonmonotonic dose responses. Endocrine Reviews 33, 378–455.
| Hormones and endocrine-disrupting chemicals: low-dose effects and nonmonotonic dose responses.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Younglai, EV, Holloway, AC, Lim, GE, and Foster, WG (2004). Synergistic effects between FSH and 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(P-chlorophenyl)ethylene (P,P′-DDE) on human granulosa cell aromatase activity. Human Reproduction 19, 1089–1093.
| Synergistic effects between FSH and 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(P-chlorophenyl)ethylene (P,P′-DDE) on human granulosa cell aromatase activity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |