Effects of gestational and lactational exposure to Tributyltin Chloride (TBTCl), followed or not by caloric supplementation after weaning - investigation of obesogenic effect on testicular function and sperm parameters in male rats.

Abstract

Organotin compounds represent an important class of environmental contaminants. Tributyltin (TBT) is a representing of this class, and is commonly used in anti-fouling agents for ships, as a biocide in marine paints and paints of textile products, wood preservative, among others. As TBT is wide use as an anti-fouling agent in paints for boats, it is a common contaminant in aquatic environments, marine or freshwater, with an important bioaccumulation in animal food chains, thus the consumption of fish and seafood is one way of human contamination. TBT is an endocrine disrupter which causes the occurrence of Imposex in gastropods and affects the reproduction of other animals such as vertebrates. TBT also acts as obesogenic agent, inducing adipogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Thus, front the presented problem, this project aims to evaluate the effects of gestational and lactational exposure to tributyltin chloride (TBTCl) on testicular function and sperm parameters in male rats, and the possible reproductive effects from obesogenic action of this compound. For this, pregnant rats will be treated with vehicle or TBTCl - 1 or 2 mg / kg during pregnancy and lactation, and the pups after weaning, will be fed a standard or high-fat diet. During the development of the puppies, parameters such anogenital distance, testicular descent and preputial separation will be evaluated. In adulthood, the male animals will be evaluated for concentrations of sex hormones and leptin; testicle will undergo a careful evaluation, including morphometric and histopathologic analysis, immunohistochemistry and Western Blot for the receptors of sex hormones, leptin receptor and components of leptin signaling pathway; evaluation of sperm parameters such as concentration, motility and viability of sperm, will also be performed. (AU)