SEMI-QUANTIFICATION OF ANDROGEN RECEPTOR MRNA AND DETERMINATION OF HORMONE LEVELS IN MALE RATS BY A PRE-AND POSTNATAL EXPOSURE TO 2,4-DICHLOROPHENOXYACETIC ACID (2,4-D).

POCHETTINO, A.;; HAPON, MB; JAHN, G; DUFFARD, R; EVANGELISTA, A.

Rosario-Argentina

Congreso; XLI REUNION ANUAL DE LA SOCIEDAD ARGENTINA DE FARMACOLOGÍA EXPERIMENTAL; 2009

SOCIEDAD ARGENTINA DE FARMACOLOGÍA EXPERIMENTAL

Chlorophenoxy herbicides are widely used for the control of broadleaved weeds. We previously reported that 2,4-D decreases the height of prostatic epithelial cells and the level androgen receptor (AR) protein in male rats exposed to 2,4-D pre-pubertal and pubertal. The biological function of androgen in the prostate is mediated by AR. The goal of the present work was to assess whether the 2,4-D has any effects on AR mRNA expression and on hormones involved in the development of the prostate. Pregnant Wistar rats were treated with 2,4-D (70 mg/kg/day, sprayed on food) from gestation day 16 onward. On postnatal day 23, pups were weaned and the treated group continued to be fed with 2,4-D until sacrifice by decapitation at 45, 60, 90 or 120 days of age. We studied, serum testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), growth hormone (GH) and ventral prostate AR mRNA levels. We observed a significant decrease in concentrations of T, DHT, IGF-1 and GH at age 45 (99%, 98%, 70% and 76%) and 60 days (88%, 76%, 41% and 59%) respectively with respect to controls. There was no change in AR mRNA level at any age studied. The low circulating androgens, together with the other parameters previously determined, would be responsible for the lack of development of the glands in exposed pre-pubertal and pubertal rats.