Lactational coumestrol exposure increases ovarian apoptosis in adult rats.

This study is the first to examine the increased apoptosis in the adult rat ovary after lactational exposure to coumestrol (COU), a potent phytoestrogen. Lactating dams were gavaged at doses of 0.01, 0.

Effects of ginsenosides on organogenesis and expression of glutathione peroxidase genes in cultured rat embryos.

Ginseng has been extensively used around the world for several thousand years as a food or drug. However, recently, several reports have indicated that the organogenesis of cultured embryos is inhibited by treatment with ginsenoside, the principal component of ginseng. In this study, we evaluated the morphological changes of embryos and the gene expression patterns of antioxidant enzymes, 3 types of glutathione peroxidases [GPx; cytosolic (cGPx), plasma (pGPx) and phospholipid hydroperoxide (phGPx) forms], in cultured rat embryos (embryonic days 9.

Assessment of estrogenic and androgenic activities of tetramethrin in vitro and in vivo assays.

Tetramethrin, a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide, is used globally for agriculture, and thus potential environmental exposure to tetramethrin is a concern. Environmental chemicals that are hormonally active (particularly estrogen or androgen) may adversely affect the reproductive and endocrine systems. However, little is known about the estrogenic and androgenic activities of tetramethrin.

Multigeneration reproductive and developmental toxicity study of bar gene inserted into genetically modified potato on rats.

Each specific protein has an individual gene encoding it, and a foreign gene introduced to a plant can be used to synthesize a new protein. The identification of potential reproductive and developmental toxicity from novel proteins produced by genetically modified (GM) crops is a difficult task. A science-based risk assessment is needed in order to use GM crops as a conventional foodstuff.

Neurotoxic effects of alcohol and acetaldehyde during embryonic development.

Alcohol drinking during pregnancy results in abnormal fetal development, including fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) in humans and experimental animals. FAS is characterized by two major effects, including central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction and multiple anomalies recognizable mainly as a typical face. However, the mechanisms of alcohol-induced embryotoxicity have not been clearly demonstrated.

Potential estrogenic and antiandrogenic effects of permethrin in rats.

Many environmental chemicals including pesticides have been reported to possess hormonal activities, and thus are classified as endocrine disruptors. Permethrin, a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide, is used worldwide, which provides potential environmental exposure. However, relatively few studies have reported on hormonal activities, particularly estrogenic and androgenic activities of permethrin, and the results of these studies are in some respects contradictory.

Differential gene profiles in developing embryo and fetus after in utero exposure to ethanol.

Alcohol consumption during pregnancy results in morphological abnormalities in the fetuses of humans and experimental animals, and is referred to as fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). However, the molecular mechanism underlying FAS has not been completely elucidated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential molecular mechanisms of ethanol-induced FAS in the developing embryo and fetus.

Mechanism of antifertility in male rats treated with 3-monochloro-1,2-propanediol (3-MCPD).

3-Monochloro-1,2-propanediol (3-MCPD) is a food contaminant that is often found in foods containing acid-hydrolyzed (AH) protein, like seasonings and savory food products. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of 3-MCPD on male fertility, sperm, and hormonal levels and its antifertility mechanism. In vivo male fertility testing was performed to observe the adverse effects of 3-MCPD on the functioning of the male reproductive system and pregnancy outcome.

Neuronal differentiation of embryonic midbrain cells by upregulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma via the JNK-dependent pathway.

Our previous study showed that the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma) agonist 15-deoxy-PGJ(2) has the promoting ability to differentiate neuronal PC12 cells. To expand our study, the effect of 15-deoxy-PGJ(2) on the differentiation of embryonic midbrain cells into dopaminergic neuronal cells was investigated in this study. The relationship between cell differentiation with activation of PPAR-gamma and the possible signal pathway were also investigated.

No androgenic/anti-androgenic effects of bisphenol-A in Hershberger assay using immature castrated rats.

Several studies have demonstrated that bisphenol A (BPA) exhibited weak estrogenic activity in the 3-day uterotrophic assay using ovariectomized (OVX) and immature rats (Toxicol. Lett. 115 (2000) 231; Regul.

Comparative evaluation of alkylphenolic compounds on estrogenic activity in vitro and in vivo.

This study was undertaken to compare the sensitivity of screening test methods and to investigate the structure-activity relationships of the estrogenic activity of alkylphenolic compounds (APs) using in vitro and in vivo assays. Two in vitro systems, MCF-7 cell proliferation (E-screen assay) and competitive binding assay to estrogen receptor (ER), were selected to evaluate the estrogenic effects. Uterotrophic assay and Calbindin-D9K (CaBP9K) mRNA expression were also examined in ovariectomized Sprague-Dawley female rats.

Inhibitory effect of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma agonist on ochratoxin A-induced cytotoxicity and activation of transcription factors in cultured rat embryonic midbrain cells.

The effects of 15-deoxy-delta12,14-prostaglandin J2 (15-deoxy PGJ2) on ochratoxin A (OTA)-induced neurotoxicity and on the activation of transcription factors activator protein-1 (AP-1) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) were investigated in cultured rat embryonic midbrain cells. Twelve-day rat embryo midbrain cells were cultured for 48 h. OTA (0.