Michał H. Wróbel
Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland
Title: If atrazine has a potential to impair a function of bovine cervix during periovulation period of oestrous cycle, in vitro?
Biography
Biography: Michał H. Wróbel
Abstract
Atrazine, which belongs to triazine class of herbicides, remains a staple of the American and Indian agriculture, while is subjected to strict regulation that effectively prevents its use in Europe. It was previously shown that atrazine increased the secretion of ovarian oxytocin (OT), which is a potent uterotonic agent. However, atrazine directly inhibit the myometrial contractions in cows. Hence, the aim of this study was to determine its effect on the motoric function of bovine cervix.Cervical strips or cells from cows at 18-20 days of oestrous cycle were incubated (24-72h) with atrazine (10 ng/ml). The used dose of atrazine, which was chosen according to the our previous studies, has exerted any cytotoxic effect. However, it increased the force of cervical contractions and it has not affected the level of myosin light chain kinase (MLCK). While atrazine decreased the secretion of PGE2, amount of gap junction proteins (GAPs) and the second messengers (DAG, IP3), which are involved in transmission of signal to contraction.
Atrazine showed direct stimulation of the force of cervical contractions and inhibition of cellular signalling. Hence, it has potential to impair the function of cervix, which can be followed by failures in beginning of gestation.