title: The inhibitory effects of polychlorinated biphenyl Aroclor 1254 on Leydig cell LH receptors, steroidogenic enzymes and antioxidant enzymes in adult rats.
abstract: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are global pollutants of major concern to human and animal reproductive health. The present study has examined the impact of Aroclor 1254 exposure on oxidative stress and testicular Leydig cell function. Adult albino male rats of the Wistar strain were dosed for 30 days with daily intraperitoneal injections of 2 mg/kg Aroclor 1254 or vehicle (corn oil). One day after the last treatment, animals were euthanized and blood collected for the assay of serum testosterone and estradiol. Testes were removed and Leydig cells were isolated for the assay of luteinizing hormone (LH) receptors, steroidogenic enzymes cytochrome P450 side chain cleavage enzyme (P450 scc), 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3beta-HSD) and 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17beta-HSD). Cellular antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) were also assayed. Lipid peroxidation (LPO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were quantified. Results showed that Aroclor 1254 exposure lowered serum testosterone and estradiol levels. Leydig cell LH receptor density, activities of the steroidogenic enzymes P450 scc, 3beta-HSD, 17beta-HSD, antioxidant enzymes SOD, CAT, GPX, GR, and GST were significantly diminished whereas, LPO and ROS significantly elevated. Taken together, these results suggest that inefficient LH receptors, steroidogenic enzymes and antioxidant enzymes are possible mechanisms by which Aroclor 1254 treatment disrupts Leydig cell steroidogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Dr. ALM Post Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Taramani, Chennai 600 113, India.
authors.forename: Palaniappan
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Murugesan
authors.forename: Palaniyandi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kanagaraj
authors.forename: Sambandam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yuvaraj
authors.forename: Karundevi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Balasubramanian
authors.forename: Maria Michael
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Aruldhas
authors.forename: Jagadeesan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Arunakaran
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D020111:Chlorodiphenyl (54% Chlorine) / Q000633:toxicity*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D011974:Receptors, LH / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D013250:Steroid Hydroxylases / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D011974:Receptors, LH; D020111:Chlorodiphenyl (54% Chlorine); D013250:Steroid Hydroxylases