Xenopus laevis is a potential alternative model animal species to study reproductive toxicity of phytoestrogens

Aquatic Toxicology
Lin CongXiao-Bai Xu

Abstract

This study investigated effects of phytoestrogen quercetin on the gonadal development in Xenopus laevis. X. laevis at Nieuwkoop and Faber stage 46/47 were exposed to 50, 100 and 200 microg/L quercetin till 1 month postmetamorphosis. Gonads from frogs at 1 and 3 months postmetamorphosis were examined in gross morphology and histology. The highest dose of quercetin as well as estradiol (E2) significantly increased the percentages of phenotypic females. Exposure to quercetin at all doses induced abnormal testes with certain ovarian characteristics to some degree in gross morphology, including ovotestes. The abnormality rate exceeded 10% in each quercetin treatment. Histologic examination revealed that some abnormal testes exhibited intersexuality with testicular structure and ovarian structure or oocytes interspersed in testicular structure at 1 month postmetamorphosis. At 3 months postmetamorphosis, testicular abnormalities were more obvious, such as necrosis or apoptosis of spermatogonia, occurrence of developed or undeveloped oocytes, delay of the development of seminiferous tubes without or less late stage spermatocytes. The results have shown that quercetin cannot only feminize but also impair testicular development of X. lae...Continue Reading

Citations

Mar 31, 2015·Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·Hao-Jun ZhuYu-Fa Peng
Apr 8, 2011·Aquatic Toxicology·Karen L PorterSigmund J Degitz
Sep 8, 2010·Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry·Jeffrey C WolfAlan J Hosmer
Sep 28, 2017·The American Journal of Chinese Medicine·Ryoiti Kiyama
May 19, 2017·Evolutionary Applications·Max R Lambert, Thea M Edwards
Aug 20, 2019·Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology·Sylvia Rojas-HucksJosé Pulgar

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