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Methoxychlor and Its Metabolites Inhibit Growth and Induce Atresia of Baboon Antral Follicles
1 Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61802, USA Correspondence: Address correspondence to: Jodi A. Flaws, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Veterinary Biosciences, 3223 VMBS Building, 2001 S. Lincoln Ave., Urbana, IL 61802; e-mail:jflaws{at}uiuc.edu
Methoxychlor (MXC), an organochlorine pesticide, inhibits growth and induces atresia of antral follicles in rodents. MXC metabolites, mono-OH MXC (mono-OH) and bis-OH MXC (HPTE), are thought to be more toxic than the parent compound. Although studies have examined the effects of MXC in rodents, few studies have evaluated the effects of MXC in primates. Therefore, the present study tested the hypothesis that MXC, mono-OH, and HPTE inhibit growth and induce atresia of baboon antral follicles. To test this hypothesis, antral follicles were isolated from adult baboon ovaries and cultured with vehicle (dimethylsulfoxide; DMSO), MXC (1–100 µg/ml), mono-OH (0.1–10 µg/ml), or HPTE (0.1–10 µg/ml) for 96 hr. Growth was monitored at 24 hr intervals. After culture, follicles were processed for histological evaluation of atresia. MXC, mono-OH, and HPTE significantly inhibited follicular growth and increased atresia compared to DMSO. Moreover, the adverse effects of MXC and its metabolites on growth and atresia in baboon antral follicles were observed at lower (100-fold) doses than those causing similar effects in rodents. These data suggest that MXC and its metabolites inhibit growth and induce atresia of baboon antral follicles, and that primate follicles are more sensitive to MXC than rodent follicles.
Key Words: Antral follicles baboon papio methoxychlor ovary Abbreviations: HPTE, Bis-OH methoxychlor MXC, Methoxychlor mono-OH, Mono-OH methoxychlor
Female mammals are born with finite number of follicles (Hirshfield, 1991). At the time of birth, human females have about 400,000 primordial follicles and by age 30, the number is reduced to 25,000 through ovulation and natural cell death (Moffet, 1993). These primordial follicles must grow and mature through different stages known as the primary, preantral, and antral stages to be capable of ovulation. The antral follicle is the penultimate stage required for normal ovulation and synthesis/secretion of the major sex steroid hormones, which are essential for reproduction (Hirshfield, 1991). Any chemical that disturbs follicular growth or atresia (an apoptotic process) can alter reproductive and endocrine function. The degree and type of damage to the ovary depends on the type of follicle that is targeted by the chemical. Administration of a toxicant that destroys primordial follicles may result in permanent infertility because primordial follicles cannot be replenished. Administration of a toxicant that targets primary follicles may result in temporary or permanent infertility. Temporary infertility occurs if the toxicant is removed, the primordial follicles are unaffected, and a new cohort of primordial follicles is able to grow and replace the damaged primary follicles. Permanent infertility occurs if the chemical is not removed because there will be no primary follicles to grow to the larger stages. Administration of a toxicant that destroys antral follicles may result in temporary infertility if the toxicant is removed and undamaged primordial, primary, and preantral follicles are able to grow to take the place of damaged antral follicles. Permanent infertility occurs if the chemical is not removed because there will be no antral follicles to release ova for fertilization. Further, administration of a toxicant that increases atresia of follicles at any stage could accelerate the rate at which follicles are depleted from the ovary and result in premature or early reproductive senescence. Methoxychlor (MXC) is an organochlorine pesticide that is used in many countries against insects that attack fruits, vegetables, and home gardens. Thus, humans as well as wildlife species are exposed to this chemical. MXC is a known reproductive toxicant. Investigators have reported that MXC exposure reduces fertility in a variety of species (Martinez and Swartz, 1992; Swartz and Corkern, 1992; Borgeest et al., 2002a). Several studies indicate that MXC reduces fertility because it causes ovarian atrophy and decreases the ability of ovarian cells to synthesize and secrete hormones (Martinez and Swartz, 1992; Swartz and Corkern, 1992). In addition, MXC induces atresia of antral follicles in rodents (Borgeest et al., 2002a, b; Borgeest et al., 2004; Miller et al., 2005). Borgeest et al. (2002b, 2004) have shown that MXC specifically targets antral follicles by reducing their number and increasing the percentage of atretic antral follicles in mice. Miller et al. (2005) have shown that MXC inhibits growth and induces atresia of mouse antral follicles in culture.
MXC is metabolized in the body to mono-hydroxy MXC (mono-OH), bis-hydroxy MXC (HPTE), catechol MXC, and tris-hydroxy MXC by cytochrome P-450 enzymes (Figure 1). HPTE is known to act as an estrogen receptor (ER)
While previous studies have examined the effects of MXC and/or its metabolites in rodents and cell lines, no studies have examined the effects of MXC on primate ovarian follicles. Such studies are important for better understanding species differences in response to environmental chemicals. By better understanding species differences in response to chemicals, it may be possible to determine which model is best for predicting toxicity of similar chemicals or for extrapolating data to other species. Thus, the goal of these studies was to establish a culture system using follicles from non-human primate model, the baboon, and then to use this system to determine the effects of MXC and its metabolites on primate follicles. Specifically, this study tested the hypothesis that MXC and its metabolites (HPTE and mono-OH) inhibit growth and induce atresia of baboon antral follicles.
Chemicals MXC powder (99%) was purchased from Chemservice (West Chester, PA). HPTE and mono-OH were purchased from Cedra Corporation (Austin, TX). Stock solutions of MXC, HPTE, and mono-OH were prepared using dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) (Sigma, St. Louis, MO) as the solvent, and in various concentrations (133, 13.3, 1.33, and 0.133 mg/ml) that allowed an equal volume to be added to culture wells for each treatment group to control for solvent concentration. Final concentrations of MXC in culture were 1, 10, and 100 µg per ml. Final concentrations of HPTE and mono-OH in culture were 0.1, 1, and 10 µg per ml. The concentrations of MXC (1–100 µg/ml) were based on a previous study by Miller et al. (2005), which showed inhibition of growth and atresia of mouse antral follicles using similar concentrations. The 10-fold lower concentrations of HPTE and mono-OH were used because these metabolites of MXC are thought to be more toxic than the parent compound (Gaido et al., 2000) and one would expect the amount of the metabolites reaching the follicles after MXC being metabolized to be lower than the parent compound.
Animals
Following ketamine (10mg/kg BW im) sedation, baboons were anesthetized with a mixture of halothane (1.0–1.5%): nitrous oxide (0.4 L/min): oxygen (2.0 L/min), and bilaterally ovariectomized under aseptic conditions via a 5- to 6-cm midline abdominal incision. Whole ovaries were carefully dissected and placed immediately into warm (37°C) sterile
Follicle Culture
For experimental treatment, unsupplemented
Analysis of Follicle Growth
Histological Evaluation of Atresia
Statistical Analysis
Follicle Culture Using a follicle culture assay, we determined that baboon antral follicles can be grown and maintained in culture in the absence of chemical treatment, without visible signs of cell death. Representative pictures of baboon antral follicles in culture are shown in Figure 2. Freshly isolated antral follicles were intact and consisted of a clearly visible oocyte, multiple layers of granulosa cells, and a theca cell layer. After 96 hrs in culture, non-treated and DMSO treated follicles grew in size, with theca cells attaching to the bottom of the culture well and granulosa cells proliferating to increase follicle diameter. After MXC, HPTE, or mono-OH treatment for 96 hrs, antral follicles did not grow compared to DMSO controls. While theca cells seemed to attach, the attachments were not as dense and firm as those in DMSO controls. Further, granulosa cells did not proliferate and the follicles became dark in appearance.
Effect of MXC, HPTE, and Mono-OH on Follicle Growth Using the follicle culture assay, the effect of MXC on follicle growth was evaluated for 96 hrs. Follicles treated with vehicle control showed normal growth, however, significant inhibition of antral follicle growth was observed with MXC-treatment (1, 10 and 100 µg/ml) compared to DMSO control follicles at 72 and 96 hrs (Figure 3A). At 72 hrs, DMSO control follicles increased in size by 11.7 ± 0.7%, whereas MXC 1, 10 and 100 µg/ml treated follicles only increased in size by 10.3 ± 1.8, 5.2 ± 1.6, and 0.9 ± 0.4%, respectively. At 96 hrs, DMSO control follicles increased in size by 28.7 ± 0.2%, whereas MXC 1, 10 and 100 µg/ml treated follicles only increased in size by 17.0 ± 2.7, 4.8 ± 0.2, and 0.4 ± 0.3%, respectively (n = 23 follicles per treatment, p 0.03). Further, the granulosa cell layer thickness for DMSO-treated follicles was 72.56 ± 1.64 µm (n = 6 follicles), whereas the granulosa cell layer thickness for the MXC-treated groups was essentially 0 because the granulosa cells were no longer in layers and appeared dispersed.
In addition, the effect of HPTE on follicle growth was evaluated for 96 hrs. Follicles treated with vehicle control showed normal growth, however, significant inhibition of antral follicle growth was observed with HPTE-treatment (0.1, 1 and 10 µg/ml) compared to DMSO control follicles at 72 and 96 hrs (Figure 3B). At 72 hrs, DMSO control follicles increased in size by 17.2 ± 1.1%, whereas HPTE 0.1, 1 and 10 µg/ml treated follicles only increased in size by 5.3 ± 0.2, 3.2 ± 0.3, and 1.9 ± 0.3% respectively. At 96 hrs, DMSO control follicles increased in size by 30.1 ± 0.8%, whereas HPTE 0.1, 1 and 10 µg/ml treated follicles only increased in size by 14.0 ± 0.6, 4.1 ± 0.2, and 2.2 ± 0.3%, respectively (n = 23 follicles per treatment, p 0.03). Further, the granulosa cell layer thickness for DMSO-treated follicles was 72.56 ± 1.64 µm (n = 6 follicles). Granulosa cell layer thickness for the HPTE-treated groups, however, was negligible as the granulosa cells were dispersed or non-existent and did not retain normal morphological appearance compared to the DMSO-treated group.
Further, the effect of mono-OH on follicle growth was evaluated for 96 hrs. Follicles treated with vehicle control showed normal growth, however, significant inhibition of antral follicle growth was observed with mono-OH-treatment (0.1, 1 and 10 µg/ml) compared to DMSO control follicles at 72 and 96 hrs (Figure 3C). At 72 hrs, DMSO control follicles increased in size by 17.2 ± 1.1%, whereas mono-OH 0.1, 1 and 10 µg/ml treated follicles only increased in size by 9.0 ± 0.5, 4.9 ± 0.3, and 2.3 ± 0.2% respectively. At 96 hrs, DMSO control follicles increased in size by 30.1 ± 0.8%, whereas mono-OH 0.1, 1 and 10 µg/ml treated follicles only increased in size by 16.3 ± 0.8, 5.9 ± 0.8, and 2.2 ± 0.6%, respectively (n = 23 follicles per treatment, p
Effect of MXC, HPTE, and Mono-OH Treatment on Follicle Atresia
Representative photographs of histological sections from MXC-treated antral follicles are shown in Figure 5A. MXC (1–100 µg/ml) increased follicular atresia compared to DMSO controls in a concentration dependent manner (Figure 5B). The atresia ratings were 1.7 ± 0.2 for DMSO, 3.2 ± 0.2 for MXC 1 µg/ml, 3.7 ± 0.1 for MXC 10 µg/ml, and 3.9 ± 0.1 for MXC 100 µg/ml-treated follicles (Figure 5B) (n = 6 follicles per treatment, p 0.001).
Representative photographs of histological sections of HPTE-treated antral follicles are shown in Figure 6A. HPTE (0.1–10 µg/ml) increased follicular atresia compared to DMSO controls in a concentration-dependent manner (Figure 6B). The atresia ratings were 1.4 ± 0.2 for DMSO, 2.7 ± 0.2 for HPTE 0.1 µg/ml, 3.3 ± 0.1 for HPTE 1 µg/ml, and 4.0 ± 0.0 for HPTE 10 µg/ml-treated follicles (Figure 6B) (n = 6 follicles per treatment, p 0.001).
Representative photographs of histological sections of mono-OH-treated antral follicles are shown in Figure 7A. Mono-OH (1 and 10 µg/ml) increased follicular atresia compared to DMSO controls in a concentration-dependent manner (Figure 7B). The atresia ratings were 1.0 ± 0.0 for DMSO, 1.4 ± 0.2 for mono-OH 0.1 µg/ml, 2.5 ± 0.2 for mono-OH 1 µg/ml, and 3.6 ± 0.2 for mono-OH 10 µg/ml-treated follicles (Figure 7B) (n = 6 follicles per treatment, p 0.001).
To our knowledge, this is the first study showing the effects of methoxychlor (MXC) and its metabolites, bis-hydroxy MXC (HPTE) and mono-hydroxy MXC (mono-OH), on baboon antral follicles. The results indicate that baboon antral follicles can be grown in culture successfully and that MXC and its metabolites (HPTE and mono-OH) inhibit growth and induce atresia of baboon antral follicles in culture. MXC, an organochlorine pesticide, is a known reproductive toxicant. Most previous studies showing effects of MXC on reproductive organs such as the ovary have been done in rodents (Borgeest et al., 2002a, 2002b, 2004; Miller et al., 2005). These studies indicate that MXC increases the percentage of atretic antral follicles in mice when treated with MXC in vivo (Borgeest et al., 2002b, 2004), and it inhibits growth and induces atresia of cultured mouse antral follicles (Miller et al., 2005). In this study, we have shown that MXC inhibits growth and induces atresia of cultured baboon antral follicles. Interestingly, the adverse effects of MXC on growth and atresia in baboon antral follicles were observed at 100-fold lower doses than those causing similar effects in rodents (Miller et al., 2005). The reasons that baboon follicles are more sensitive to MXC than mouse follicles are unknown. It is possible, however, that baboon and mouse follicles have different cytochrome P450 enzymes in their follicles. Perhaps, the cytochrome P450 enzymes in the mouse ovary are better able to detoxify MXC than those in the baboon ovary. While no other studies have reported the effects of MXC on baboon follicles, Golub et al. (2003) have shown that MXC treatment leads to premature emergence of a secondary sexual characteristic (retarded growth of the nipple), increased incidence of ovarian cysts/masses, and shorter follicular stages in rhesus monkeys (Golub et al., 2003). Further, studies have examined effects of other pesticides on non-human primates. Bourque et al. (1995) have shown that treatment with the pesticide hexachlorobenzene causes lesions in ovarian follicles in monkeys, which included lipid peroxidation, condensed mitochondria, degeneration of follicular cells, and appearance of abnormal spaces between the follicular cells (Bourque et al., 1995).
Our study is the first to show the effects of MXC metabolites (HPTE and mono-OH) on baboon antral follicles. HPTE and mono-OH inhibit growth and induce atresia of baboon antral follicles at a 10-fold lower concentration than the parent compound MXC. We hypothesized that the metabolites (HPTE and mono-OH) would be more toxic than the parent compound MXC based on previous binding studies (Bulger et al., 1978; Ousterhout et al., 1981; Bulger et al., 1985; Laws et al., 2000; Gaido et al., 2000). MXC, HPTE, and mono-OH have all been shown to compete with estradiol for binding to estrogen receptor (ER) to varying degrees; MXC has very low affinity for ER, while mono-OH and HPTE have higher affinity for ER (Bulger et al., 1978, 1985; Ousterhout et al., 1981; Laws et al., 2000). HPTE has been shown to be an ER The mechanism by which MXC, HPTE, and mono-OH cause inhibition of growth and induce atresia of baboon antral follicles is unknown. Borgeest et al. (2004) have shown that the Bcl-2 pathway may be involved in MXC-induced atresia of antral follicles in mice. Recently, Li et al. (2006) showed that HPTE activates non-genomic MAP kinase and phosphoinositol-I-3 pathways in human MCF-7 cells (Li et al., 2006). Further, Gupta et al. (2006) have shown that oxidative stress pathways may regulate MXC-induced atresia in mice. Thus, it may be possible that MXC, HPTE, and mono-OH act through any or all of these pathways to inhibit growth and induce atresia of baboon antral follicles. Future studies are required to address the issue of mechanism of action of MXC and its metabolites on baboon follicles. In addition, it is not known whether granulosa cells or thecal cells in follicles respond equally to MXC and its metabolites. In this study, it visually appears that MXC and its metabolites first affect the granulosa cells followed by the theca cells. We then see loss of structure of oocytes in our treated groups. Future studies need to be conducted to fully test whether granulosa cells or thecal cells are first targeted by the chemicals. In conclusion, baboon antral follicles can be grown in culture and MXC and its metabolites, HPTE and mono-OH, inhibit growth and induce atresia of baboon antral follicles in culture. Further, this study indicates that primate follicles may be more sensitive to MXC and its metabolites than rodents.
This work was supported by NIH RO1 ES012893 and NIH U54 HD 36207 Specialized Cooperative Centers Program in Reproduction Research.
Toxicologic Pathology, Vol. 35, No. 5,
649-656 (2007) This article has been cited by other articles:
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agonist and an ERβ antagonist in human hepatoma cells (
0.05. For multiple comparisons between controls and treatment groups, we used analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Tukeys post hoc test, or we conducted multiple regression analysis. At least three separate experiments were conducted for each treatment regimen prior to data analysis. All data are presented as means ± standard error of the means (SEM). 






