Assessment of reproductive toxicity of male rats through maternal exposure to dienestrol

Identifier:  TFG:1643

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TFG1643

Authors:  Alfageme Abelló, Oscar

Abstract:
Dienestrol is an abortive compound that was used to treat menopausal symptoms and as an anabolic in cattle. It is also a diethylstilbestrol metabolite, which is a stilbene derivative with an estrogenic activity comparable to that of the natural estrogen, estradiol-17β. Dienestrol has been classified as an endocrine disruptor, altering the functions of the organism and causing possible harmful effects on offspring. At present, traces of this compound have been found in dairy foods and in the environment. The objective of this study is to determine if dienestrol affects men’s reproduction due to its estrogen agonistic activity. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were treated daily with gavage from gestational day 6 until postnatal day 21. Pups of the treated rats were sacrificed at 90 days and were divided into different groups according to the administered dose (1.5, 3 and 6.25 kg/body weight/day). Sperm and spermatid count, sperm motility, viability and morphology were examined. Histopathology of the testicle and epididymis was evaluated, and serum biochemical parameters were analyzed. The results indicate that there is a significant decrease in the count, viability and mobility of sperm after maternal exposure to dienestrol. Moderate histopathological affectations were observed in the seminiferous tubules in the testicle sections, and apoptosis of the epididymal duct epithelium was also seen. In addition, there is a significant decrease in the levels of total proteins and in the activity of alkaline phosphatase and alanine transaminase enzymes, and a significant increase in glucose and HDL. These results indicate that exposure to dienestrol in pregnant rats has toxic effects on reproductive capacity in the young male offspring.