Activation of Penile Proadipogenic Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ with an Estrogen: Interaction with Estrogen Receptor Alpha during Postnatal Development

Exposure to the estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) ligand diethylstilbesterol (DES) between neonatal days 2 to 12 induces penile adipogenesis and adult infertility in rats. The objective of this study was to investigate the in vivo interaction between DES-activated ERα and the proadipogenic transcription factor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). Transcripts for PPARs α, β, and γ and γ1a splice variant were detected in Sprague-Dawley normal rat penis with PPARγ predominating. In addition, PPARγ1b and PPARγ2 were newly induced by DES. The PPARγ transcripts were significantly upregulated with DES and reduced by antiestrogen ICI 182, 780. At the cellular level, PPARγ protein was detected in urethral transitional epithelium and stromal, endothelial, neuronal, and smooth muscular cells. Treatment with DES activated ERα and induced adipocyte differentiation in corpus cavernosum penis. Those adipocytes exhibited strong nuclear PPARγ expression. These results suggest a biological overlap between PPARγ and ERα and highlight a mechanism for endocrine disruption.