Polychlorinated biphenyls have inhibitory effect on testicular steroidogenesis by downregulation of P450(17alpha) and P450(scc).
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are environmental pollutants that are quite toxic to biological systems. This study examined the inhibitory effect of PCB126 and PCB114 on testicular steroidogenesis in male rats. Male Sprague Dawley rats received weekly intraperitoneal injections of PCB126 (0.2 mg/kg) or PCB114 (20 mg/kg) or vehicle (corn oil). Animals from each group were sacrificed at 2, 5 and 8 weeks after the injections. Blood and testis tissue samples were collected for the hormone assay, Western blotting and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were assayed, and the expression levels of the mRNA and proteins associated with the testosterone biosynthesis pathway were measured to determine the effect of PCB126 and PCB114 on testicular steroidogenesis. The results showed that the testis weight was significantly higher in the PCB126-treated rats given eight shots. Moreover, the serum testosterone levels were significantly lower in the PCB126 and PCB114-treated groups than the control. The transcription and translation levels of P450(17alpha) and P450(scc) were significantly lower in the PCB126-treated groups than the control. These results suggest that PCB126 may affect testicular steroidogenesis by downregulating P450(17alpha), P450(scc) and have inhibitory effect on the testicular functions.
Han
Dae-Yong
DY
Research Institute of Life Science and College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Korea.
Kang
Sang-Rim
SR
Park
Oh-Sung
OS
Cho
Jae-Hyeon
JH
Won
Chung-Kil
CK
Park
Hyeon-Soo
HS
Park
Kwang-Il
KI
Kim
Eun-Hee
EH
Kim
Gon-Sup
GS
D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002786:Cholesterol Side-Chain Cleavage Enzyme / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013254:Steroid 17-alpha-Hydroxylase / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013256:Steroids / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013737:Testis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D013739:Testosterone / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood
D013256:Steroids; D013739:Testosterone; C035834:2,3,4,4'5-pentachlorobiphenyl; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls; D013254:Steroid 17-alpha-Hydroxylase; D002786:Cholesterol Side-Chain Cleavage Enzyme; C023035:3,4,5,3',4'-pentachlorobiphenyl