Accumulation of organotins in seafood leads to reproductive tract abnormalities in female rats

•Accumulation of organotins in seafood leads to abnormal estrous cyclicity in female rats.•Accumulation of organotins in seafood impairs ovarian and uterine morphophysiology.•Accumulation of organotins in seafood up-regulated ERα in vivo.

Organotins (OTs) are environmental contaminants used as biocides in antifouling paints that have been shown to be endocrine disrupters. However, studies evaluating the effects of OTs accumulated in seafood (LNI) on reproductive health are particularly sparse. This study demonstrates that LNI leads to impairment in the reproductive tract of female rats, as the estrous cycle development, as well as for ovary and uterus morphology. Rats were treated with LNI, and their reproductive morphophysiology was assessed. Morphophysiological abnormalities, such as irregular estrous cycles, abnormal ovarian follicular development and ovarian collagen deposition, were observed in LNI rats. An increase in luminal epithelia and ERα expression was observed in the LNI uteri. Together, these data provide in vivo evidence that LNI are toxic for reproductive morphophysiology, which may be associated with risks to reproductive function.

Graphical abstractDiagram of the tissue-tissue cross-talk in seafood containing OTs and reproductive morphophysiology impairment. OTs derived from exogenous sources accumulates (red square) in seafood. The intake of seafoods containing OTs are a principal sources of OTs in mammalian. Interestingly, seafood containing OTs impairs estrogen production and increases inflammation and fibrosis of ovaries (green line). In addition, the EL in uterus increase after exposure of seafood containing OTs was observed (green line). The hypothalamic pituitary axis there was no findings reported. ↑: increased; ↓: decreased; ↔: unchanged or similar to control. OTs: organotins. HYP: hypothalamus. L.: luminal.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide