Caracterização morfológica do útero de ratas adultas expostas durante o período perinatal a uma mistura de desreguladores endócrinos

Abstract

Endocrine disruptors (ED) are exogenous compounds dispersed in the environment that modify hormonal dynamics, causing several consequences for human health, including chronic diseases such as cancer. Most studies refer to the evaluation of the effects of ED alone or in small groups and, therefore, do not mimic the total exposure to which human beings are subjected. Thus, studies that mimic human exposure during the perinatal period, supported by the DOHaD proposal, are important to characterize the effects of ND on long-term health/homeostasis, especially in hormone-dependent organs, such as the uterus. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley females were divided into 2 experimental groups (Ctrl [vehicle] and Mix DE diluted in corn oil, by gavage) and exposed during pregnancy and lactation to a mixture of 12 synthetic compounds including phthalates, agrochemicals, filters U.V., bisphenol A and butylparaben. After lactation, the female offspring of the F1 generation were kept receiving water and food ad libtum until they were 365 days old, when they were euthanized and the two uterine horns were collected. Uterine fragments were processed and histological slides were prepared and submitted to histopathological, stereological and morphometric analyses. In the animals submitted to the DE mixture, a reduction in the thickness of the endometrial compartment and an increase in the inner and outer muscle layers was observed. In the uterine epithelium of the animals exposed to DE, an increase in height and alteration of the nuclear phenotype were observed, but without alteration in the fractal dimension. On the other hand, the DE mixture did not influence the production of mucins and the number of mast cells, as well as the weight of the organs. Thus, we can conclude that perinatal exposure to an ED mixture that mimics human exposure alters uterine morphology, which can negatively impact reproductive processes