Mammalian Sex Hormones Research Articles

Mammalian Sex Hormones as Steroid-Structured Compounds in Wheat Seedling: Template of the Cytosine Methylation Alteration and Retrotransposon Polymorphisms with iPBS and CRED-iBPS Techniques

Phytohormones are chemical compounds found naturally in plants that have a significant effect on their growth and development. The increase in research on the occurrence of mammalian sex hormones (MSHs) in plants has prompted the need to investigate the functions performed by these hormones in plant biology. In the present study, we investigated the effects of MSHs on DNA damage and DNA methylation of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) during the seedling growth stage, using the CRED-iPBS (coupled restriction enzyme digestion/inter primer binding site) assay and iPBS analysis to determine DNA methylation status. Exogenous treatment with four MSHs (17-β-estradiol, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone) was carried out at four different concentrations (0, 0.05, 0.5, and 5 µM). The highest genomic template stability (GTS) value (80%) was observed for 5 µM 17-β-estradiol, 0.5 µM testosterone, and 0.05 µM estrogen, while the lowest value (70.7%) was observed for 5 µM progesterone and 0.5 µM estrogen. The results of the CRED-iPBS analysis conducted on MspI indicate that the 0.05 µM estrogen-treated group had the highest polymorphism value of 40%, while the 5 µM progesterone-treated group had the lowest value of 20%. For HpaII, treatment with 0.5 µM 17-β-estradiol had the highest polymorphism value of 33.3%, while the group treated with 0.05 µM 17-β-estradiol and 0.05 µM progesterone had the lowest value of 19.4%. In conclusion, MSH treatments altered the stability of the genomic template of wheat plants and affected the cytosine methylation status at the seedling growth stage. Upon comprehensive examination of the results, it was seen that the employed methodology successfully detected alterations in cytosine methylation of genomic DNA (gDNA), as well as changes in the pattern of genomic instability.

Effects of mammalian sex hormones on in vitro organogenesis of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Beans are an important plant species and are one of the most consumed legumes in human nutrition, especially as a protein, vitamin, mineral, and fiber source. Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a plant that also has an important role in natural nitrogen fixation. Currently, in vitro regeneration and micropropagation applications are limited in relation to genetic factors in bean Accordingly, there is great need to optimize micropropagation and tissue culture methods of the bean plant. To date, the effect of mammalian sex hormones (MSH) on in vitro conditions in P. vulgaris L. is poorly understood. This study examined the effects of different types of explants (embryo, hypocotyl, plumule, and radicle), MSH type (progesterone, 17 β-estradiol, estrone, and testosterone), and MSH concentration (10−4, 10−6, 10−8 and 10−10 mmol L−1) on the responding explants induction rate (REI), viability of plantlets rate (VPR), shoot proliferation rate (SPR), root proliferation rate (RPR), and callus induction rate (CIR). The effects of mammalian sex hormones, concentrations, explant type, and their interactions were statistically significant (p ≤ 0.01) in all examined parameters. The best explants were embryo and plumule. Our results showed that the highest REI rate (100%) was recorded when 10−10 mmol L−1 of all MSH was applied to MS medium using the plumule explant. The highest VPR (100%) was obtained when 10−10 mmol L−1 of all MSH was applied to MS medium using the plumule explant. The highest root proliferation rates (77.5%) were recorded in MS medium supplemented with 10−8 mmol L−1 17β-estradiol using embryo explant. The highest percentage of shoot-forming explants (100%) generally was obtained from embryo and plumule cultured in the MS culture medium with low MSH concentration. In addition, the highest CIR (100%) was obtained from embryo and plumule explant cultured in MS medium containing 10−10 mmol L−1 of all MSH types. In conclusion, we observed that mammalian sex hormones may be used in bean in vitro culture.

The Effect of Mammalian Sex Hormones on Polymorphism and Genomic Instability in the Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.).

Mammalian sex hormones are steroid-structured compounds that support the growth and development of plants at low concentrations. Since they affect the physiological processes in plants, it has been thought that mammalian sex hormones may cause modifications to plant genomes and epigenetics. This study aims to determine whether different mammalian sex hormones (17 β-estradiol, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone) in several concentrations (0, 10−4, 10−6, and 10−8 mM) affect genetic or epigenetic levels in bean plants, using in vitro tissue cultures from plumule explants. We investigated levels of DNA damage, changes in DNA methylation and DNA stability in common bean exposed to mammalian sex hormones (MSH) using inter-primer binding site (iPBS) and Coupled Restriction Enzyme Digestion-iPBS (CRED-iPBS) assays, respectively. The highest rate of polymorphism in iPBS profiles was observed when 10−4 mM of estrogen (52.2%) hormone was administered. This finding indicates that genetic stability is reduced. In the CRED-iPBS profile, which reveals the methylation level associated with the DNA cytosine nucleotide, 10−4 mM of estrogen hormone exhibited the highest hypermethylation value. Polymorphism was observed in all hormone administrations compared to the control (without hormone), and it was determined that genomic stability was decreased at high concentrations. Taken together, the results indicate that 17 β-estradiol, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone in bean plants affect genomic instability and cause epigenetic modifications, which is an important control mechanism in gene expression.

Exogenous steroid hormones stimulate full development of autonomous endosperm in Arabidopsis thaliana

<p>Most flowering plants, including important crops, require double fertilization to form an embryo and endosperm, which nourishes it. Independence from fertilization is a feature of apomictic plants that produce seeds, from which the plants that are clones of the mother plant arise. The phenomenon of apomixis occurs in some sexual plants under specific circumstances. Since the launch of a fertilization-independent mechanism is considered a useful tool for plant breeding, there have been efforts to artificially induce apomixis. We have been able to produce fertilization-independent endosperm in vitro in <em>Arabidopsis</em> over the last few years. This paper demonstrates the methods of improving the quality of the endosperm obtained using plant and mammalian steroid hormones. Additionally, it shows the study on the autonomous endosperm (AE) formation mechanism in vitro.</p><p>This paper examines the effect of exogenous steroid hormones on unfertilized egg and central cell divisions in culture of unpollinated pistils of <em>Arabidopsis</em> Col-0 wild-type and <em>fie-1</em> mutant. All media with hormones used (estrone, androsterone, progesterone, and epibrassinolide) stimulated central cell divisions and fertilization-independent endosperm development. The stages of AE development followed the pattern of <em>Arabidopsis thaliana</em> wild type after fertilization. Subsequent stages of AE were observed from 2-nuclear up to cellular with the most advanced occurring on medium with 24-epibrassinolide and progesterone. The significant influence of mammalian sex hormones on speed of AE development and differentiation was noticed. Using restriction analysis, the changes in methylation of <em>FIE</em> gene was established under in vitro condition. The authors of this paper showed that <em>Arabidopsis thaliana</em> has a high potency to fertilization-independent development.</p>

β-Estradiol Protects Embryo Growth from Heavy-Metal Toxicity in Germinating Lentil Seeds

Mammalian sex hormones spread in the environment from both natural and anthropogenic origin. In the present study, we found that treatment with β-estradiol (E) could improve embryo growth and alleviate unsuitable availability of nutrients imposed by cadmium and copper toxicity during germination of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) seeds. The length of embryonic axes decreased in the presence of 100 μM CdCl2 or 200 μM CuCl2. Addition of 10−6 M E in the germination media could greatly reverse the inhibitory effect of heavy-metal (HM) stress on post-germination events. The cotyledons of E-treated seeds also tended to (1) retain higher protease and amylase activities, (2) breakdown more storage compounds (albumin, globulin, and starch), and (3) have higher contents of free amino acids and glucose than controls without added E (Cd or Cu applied individually). Further investigations showed that exposure to HM dramatically provoked the solute leakage in imbibition medium, whereas the combination of HM with E significantly reduced the loss of nutrients. Moreover, the seed Cd and Cu contents were not significantly different between the cotreatment of Cd or Cu with E and no treatment, meaning that E was not responsible for preventing HM accumulation in seed tissues.

Effects of progesterone application on antioxidant enzyme activities and K+/Na+ ratio in bean seeds exposed to salt stress

This study aimed to investigate the influence of progesterone, a mammalian sex hormone, on germination of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) seeds exposed to salt stress. The exogenous addition of 10(-6), 10(-8) and 10(-10)M progesterone to the stressing media in which bean seeds were germinated in combination with the salt (100mM NaCl) stressor induced significant protective changes in the germination and early growth parameters. The mitigating effect of progesterone was evaluated by the measurement of radicle and plumule lengths, activities of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POX) and catalase (CAT). In addition, it is the first study that exhibited changes in K/Na ratio. The obtained results showed that progesterone application stimulated germination and growth of salt-stressed seeds. Similarly, it stimulated significantly SOD, POX and CAT activities compared to both control and salt control. Salt stress significantly increased the lipid peroxidation compared to the control seeds. However, parallel to the increase in antioxidant activity, lipid peroxidation was significantly reduced by progesterone application. The best stimulatory effects on investigated parameters were recorded at 10(-8)M progesterone-applied seeds. On the other hand, salt stress reduced remarkably K/Na ratio by 50% in radicle and by 80% in plumule. However, progesterone application significantly mitigated the reduction in K/Na ratio. These findings clearly demonstrate that progesterone has a positive role in moderate detrimental effects induced by salt.

Alleviation of salt stress in wheat seedlings by mammalian sex hormones

Salinity is one of the most serious constraints facing agriculture today. Some mechanical, chemical and biological approaches are being pursued to cope with soil salinity. Although exogenously treated mammalian sex hormones (MSHs), progesterone, β-estradiol and androsterone, activate significant effects in various biological aspects in plants growing under normal conditions, there is no report investigating their effects on plants growing under salt stress. The present study aimed to investigate whether MSHs could alleviate the destructive effect of salt stress on wheat seedlings and thereby increase their salt tolerance. Wheat leaves were sprayed with 10(-6), 10(-8) and 10(-10) mol L(-1) concentrations of MSH on the ninth day after sowing. MSH-treated seedlings (10-day-old seedlings) were subjected to salt stress for 5 days (between days 10 and 15). At all the concentrations tested, MSH treatment provided a significant protection against to detrimental effects of salt stress in wheat seedlings. It improved dry weight, sugar, proline, protein, chlorophyll and glutathione contents in comparison to salinity alone. Similarly, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and nitrate reductase activities also were augmented by MSH treatment. On the other hand, increases in lipid peroxidation level, superoxide production and hydrogen peroxide content arising from salt treatment were reduced by MSH treatment. The highest salt tolerance was obtained at the concentrations of 10(-6) mol L(-1) for progesterone and 10(-8) mol L(-1) for β-estradiol and for androsterone. MSHs could be used effectively to protect wheat seedlings from the destructive effects of salt stress by stimulating both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant mechanism and by promoting levels of osmotic protectants such as proline and sugars resulting in osmotic adjustment, carbon storage and radical scavenging in plants.

Exogenous mammalian sex hormones mitigate inhibition in growth by enhancing antioxidant activity and synthesis reactions in germinating maize seeds under salt stress

Mammalian sex hormones (MSH)-progesterone, β-estradiol and androsterone-enhance plant growth and development by stimulating significant morphological and biochemical parameters under normal conditions. However, there is no report regarding their effects on plants exposed to environmental stress conditions. Therefore, the present study was focused on elucidating the possible positive effects of MSH on seedling growth, antioxidant activity and synthesis reactions in maize seeds exposed to salt stress, one of the most important environmental stresses. For this purpose, the various concentrations (10⁻⁶, 10⁻⁸, 10⁻¹⁰ and 10⁻¹² mol L⁻¹) of MSH were studied. Salinity (100 mmol L⁻¹ NaCl) significantly reduced root length and seedling height, whereas MSH treatment significantly ameliorated the adverse effects of salinity on root length and seedling height. On the other hand, although salinity increased soluble protein, soluble sugar and proline content in 7-day-old maize seedlings, these were higher in MSH-treated seedlings. Similarly, MSH treatment augmented superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and catalase activities under salt stress, whereas it decreased superoxide production and lipid peroxidation level. The most favorable concentrations were determined as 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹ for progesterone and β-estradiol and 10⁻¹⁰ mol L⁻¹ for androsterone. Exogenous MSH application was found to have an important ameliorative effect on growth of seeds exposed to salt stress by stimulating antioxidant activity and synthesis reactions. This is the first study investigating the effects of MSH on germination of seeds exposed to stress conditions.

Effects of Progesterone, β-Estradiol, and Androsterone on the Changes of Inorganic Element Content in Barley Leaves

The present study was performed to determine the changes in inorganic element content in barley leaves of mammalian sex hormones (MSH). Barley leaves were sprayed with 10(-4), 10(-6), 10(-9), 10(-12), 10(-15)M concentrations of progesterone, β-estradiol, and androsterone at 7th day after sowing. The plants were harvested at the end of 18days after treatment with MSH solutions. The inorganic element concentrations were determined using wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy technique. Although the all MSH concentrations significantly (p < 0.05) increased the concentrations of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sulfur, copper, manganese, aluminum, zinc, iron, potassium, and chlorine, it decreased those of sodium concentration in barley leaves. The maximum changes in the element concentrations were obtained at 10(-9)M for plant leaves treated with progesterone, 10(-6)M for plant leaves treated with β-estradiol and androsterone. The present study elucidated that MSH significantly (p < 0.05) affected the inorganic element concentrations in barley leaves.

Mammalian sex hormones stimulate antioxidant system and enhance growth of chickpea plants

In the present study, it was aimed to investigate the influence of exogenous mammalian sex hormones (MSH) (progesterone, β-estradiol and androsterone) on the morphological (root and shoot growth) and biochemical parameters (protein and sugar content, antioxidant enzyme activities, and lipid peroxidation and H2O2 levels) of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) plants growing under control conditions. The solutions of hormones prepared at different concentrations (10−4, 10−6, 10−9, 10−12 and 10−15 M) were sprayed once on the leaves of 7-day plants. The plants were harvested on 18 days after the hormone treatment. Although all of the hormones at the tested concentrations significantly increased plant growth, soluble protein and sugar contents, and antioxidant enzyme activities [superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POX) and catalase (CAT)], they decreased H2O2 content and lipid peroxidation level when compared with control plants. The activities of SOD, POX and CAT reached to the highest levels at 10−6 M for progesterone, and 10−9 M for β-estradiol and androsterone, which maximum growth, protein and sugar contents were determined. The same concentrations also resulted in the lowest levels for H2O2 content and lipid peroxidation. It can be interpreted that the MSH improve plant growth and development by affecting some biochemical parameters including antioxidative system.

Exogenously Treated Mammalian Sex Hormones Affect Inorganic Constituents of Plants

The present study was undertaken to reveal the changes in inorganic constituents of plants exposed to mammalian sex hormones (MSH). Chickpea leaves were sprayed with 10(-4), 10(-6), 10(-9), 10(-12), and 10(-15) M concentrations of progesterone, β-estradiol, and androsterone at 7th day after sowing. The plants were harvested at the end of 18 days after treatment of MSH solutions and the inorganic components determined using a wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy technique. At all of the concentrations tested, MSH significantly increased the contents of K, S, Na, Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe, P, Cu, and Ni. Interestingly, only Mn and Cl contents decreased. The maximum changes in the inorganic composition were recorded at 10(-6) M for plants treated with progesterone and 10(-9) M for plants treated with β-estradiol and androsterone.

Effects of mammalian sex hormones on antioxidant enzyme activities, H2O2 content and lipid peroxidation in germinating bean seeds.

ABSTRACT: In this study, effects of mammalian sex hormones (progesterone, β-estradiol and androsterone) on activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and catalase, H 2 O 2 content and lipid peroxidation level in germinating bean seeds were investigated. The bean seeds were germinated at various hormone concentrations between 10 -4 and 10 -15 M. Activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and catalase significantly increased at all the concentrations tested compared to controls. The maximum enzyme activities were recorded at the 10 -9 M concentration for all of three hormones. On the other hand, depending on increase in the activities of antioxidant enzymes, lipid peroxidation level and H 2 O 2 content significantly decreased at hormone treated seeds. Key words: Mammalian sex hormones, Germination, Antioxidant enzymes, Stress parameters Cimlenen Fasulye Tohumlarinin Antioksidan Enzim Aktiviteleri, H 2 O 2 Icerigi ve Lipid Peroksidasyonu Uzerine Memeli Cinsiyet Hormonlarinin Etkileri OZET : Bu calismada, cimlenen fasulye tohumlarinda superoksit dismutaz, peroksidaz ve katalaz enzim aktiviteleri ile hidrojen peroksit (H 2 O 2 ) icerigi ve lipid peroksidasyon seviyesi uzerine memeli cinsiyet hormonlari olan progesteron, , β-ostradiol ve androsteronun etkileri arastirildi. Fasulye tohumlari 10 -4 ile 10 -15 M konsantrasyon araliginda degisen hormon cozeltilerinde cimlendirildi. Uygulanan tum konsantrasyonlarda superoksit dismutaz, peroksidaz ve katalaz enzim aktiviteleri kendi kontrollerine oranla onemli derecede artti. Maksimum enzim aktiviteleri her uc hormon icinde 10 -9 M konsantrasyonda kaydedildi. Diger yandan, hormon uygulanan tohumlarda antioksidan enzim aktivitelerindeki artisa bagli olarak lipid peroksidayon seviyesi ve hidrojen peroksit icerigi onemli olcude azaldi. Anahtar Kelimeler: Memeli cinsiyet hormonlari, Cimlenme, Antioksidan enzimler, Stres parametreleri

Oestradiol and its biosynthesis in Phaseolus vulgaris L.

UNTIL recently the presence of steroidal oestrogens in plants has been a matter for debate1, and any physiological significance associated with them has been generally disregarded2,3. Although steroidal oestrogens have been found in extracts of a few species4, the identification of oestrone in Phaseolus was based on equivocal procedures5. Moreover, as with any compound present in low concentration, it is possible that at least some of the oestrogens identified in plant extracts are attributable to external contamination. This risk can be eliminated by demonstrating the incorporation of radioactive label from a known precursor into the compounds of interest. We report here the incorporation of radioactive isotopes from (3RS)-2-14C-mevalonic acid DBED (MVA), 4-14C-oestrone and potassium 6,7-3H-oestrone sulphate into oestradiol by Phaseolus vulgaris L., cultivar Canadian Wonder. This represents the first case known to us of successful labelling of an identified steroidal oestrogen from 14C-MVA in a higher plant. It seems therefore that this class of mammalian sex hormone is produced in plants as well as animals.

Use of mammalian sex hormones for improving fertility in crosses

Use of mammalian sex hormones for improving fertility in crosses