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Impact of diethylhexyl phthalate on gene expression and development of mammary glands of pregnant mouse

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Abstract

The widely used diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) is a known endocrine disruptor that causes persistent alterations in the structure and function of female reproductive system, including ovaries, uterus and oviducts. To explore the molecular mechanism of the effect of DEHP on the development of mammary glands, we investigated the cell cycle, growth, proliferation and gene expression of mammary gland cells of pregnant mice exposed to DEHP. It was demonstrated, for the first time, that the mammary gland cells of pregnant mice treated with DEHP for 0.5–3.5 days post-coitum had increased proliferation, growth rate and number of cells in the G2/S phase. The expression of cell proliferation-related genes was significantly altered after short time and low-dose DEHP treatment of mammary gland cells in vivo and in vitro. These findings showed adverse effects of DEHP on mammary gland cells in pregnant mice.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by National Nature Science Foundation of China (31201120) and Nature Science Foundation of Hubei Province (2011CDB230) to X. F. Zhang, and Nature Science Foundation of Heilongjiang Province (ZD201304) to L. Li.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Agriculture, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China

    Lan Li & Hong Chen

  2. Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Germplasm Enhancement in Universities of Shandong, College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China

    Jing-Cai Liu, Yong Zhao, Fang-Nong Lai, Fan Yang, Wei Ge, Cheng-Li Dou & Wei Shen

  3. College of Life Science, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China

    Jing-Cai Liu, Fang-Nong Lai & Fan Yang

  4. College of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China

    Yong Zhao

  5. College of Biological and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan, 430023, China

    Xi-Feng Zhang

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  1. Lan Li
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  2. Jing-Cai Liu
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  10. Hong Chen
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Correspondence to Xi-Feng Zhang or Hong Chen.

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Supplementary material 1 (DOCX 19 kb)

Fig. S1

Intracellular ROS levels assayed using DHE and DCFH-DA fluorescent probes in mammary gland cells of pregnant mice exposed to DEHP. (A-B) Intracellular ROS was measured by flow cytometry (DHE and DCFH-DA). (C-D) Average intensity of DHE and DCFH-DA fluorescence in mammary gland cells of pregnant mice exposed to DEHP. (E) The mRNA levels of genes in mammary gland cells were analyzed by RT-qPCR. The results are presented as mean ± SD. Asterisk (* or **) indicates significant difference (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). (DOCX 522 kb)

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Li, L., Liu, JC., Zhao, Y. et al. Impact of diethylhexyl phthalate on gene expression and development of mammary glands of pregnant mouse. Histochem Cell Biol 144, 389–402 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00418-015-1348-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00418-015-1348-9

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