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Melatonin are Involved in Benzo(a)pyrene-Induced Ovarian Dysfunctionin during Early Pregnancy
Xu Hanting, He Junlin, Liu Xueqing, Ding Yubing, Gao Rufei, Geng Yanqing, Mu Xinyi, Wang Yingxiong, Chen Xuemei*
Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, School of Public Health and Management, Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
Abstract: To investigate the effect of Benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P) on ovarian function in mice during early pregnancy and its mechanism. Adult female and male Kunming mice were mated to produce pregnancy. The pregnant mice were divided into two groups: control group (n=60)， BaP-treated group (n=60)， and then received corn oil and 0.2 mg/(kg·d) B(a)P respectively from D1. The serum and ovaries were collected from D1 to D4， respectively. ELISA was used to detect the levels of serum estrogen， progesterone and melatonin. The mRNA levels of 17β-HSD1 and P450SCC in the ovaries were determined by qRT-PCR. Western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to examine the protein levels of MT1 and MT2 in the ovaries. The results showed that B(a)P decreased the levels of serum estrogen and progesterone. The mRNA levels of 17β-HSD1 and P450SCC in the ovaries were down-regulated by B(a)P. B(a)P caused an increase in the level of serum melatonin at the early stage of pregnancy， while the levels of MT1 and MT2 proteins were decreased in the ovarian corpus luteum cells after the B(a)P treatment. These findings indicate that B(a)P can lead to ovarian dysfunctionin during early pregnancy and melatonin might be involved in this process.
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