Fig. 7

Characterization of tumor-like changes induced by neonatal exposure to DES in adult mice testes were studied by immuno-localization. Note increased expression of VSELs specific nuclear OCT-4A (a–c) and cytoplasmic OCT-4 (d–f) after endocrine disruption with DES. MVH (g), c-KIT (h) positive cells were arranged multi-layered in normal control mice conversely DES-treated testes have no MVH (j) and c-KIT (k) positive cells. SOX-9 positive Sertoli cells were located at basement of germinal epithelium in control mice (i) whereas DES testes are completely devoid of nutritive Sertoli cells (l). Results suggests blocked differentiation of pluripotent stem cells but OCT-4 positive stem cell compartment is stimulated in absence of microenvironment upon DES treatment. DAPI staining was performed to visualize the nucleus and the image merged with DAPI (merged) shown here. Scale: 20 µm (a–l) except (c) 10 µm