title: Nickel induced structural and functional alterations in mouse Leydig cells in vitro.
abstract: The present study was aimed at investigating effects of nickel (NiCl(2)) on secretion of testosterone (T), cell viability, ultrastructure and apoptosis in mouse Leydig cells. Testosterone release was measured after 48h of culture with 15.67, 31.25, 62.5, 125, 250, 500 and 1000μmol/L NiCl(2) or without NiCl(2) using radioimmunoassay. Cell viability was assessed by a MTT (metabolic activity assay). Quantification of apoptotic cells was performed using TUNEL assay and the ultrastructural changes were analyzed using transmission electron microscopy. The viability was decreased after addition of ≥250μmol/L NiCl(2). A concentration-dependent depression of T production was observed. The percentage of apoptotic cells was significantly increased only after addition of 125, 250 and 1000μmol/L NiCl(2). After addition of ≥250μmol/L NiCl(2) higher incidence of euchromatin was observed. Lipid droplets and vacuoles in cytoplasm were increased after addition of ≥125μmol/L NiCl(2). NiCl(2) induced decrease in numbers of mitochondria and smooth endoplasmic reticulum after treatment with ≥500μmol/L NiCl(2). Our findings suggest a negative effect of NiCl(2) on steroidogenesis, viability, apoptosis and ultrastructure of mouse Leydig cells.
authors.affiliation: SPU v Nitre, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovak Republic. cipko26@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Jiřina Zemanová
authors.initials: JZ
authors.lastname: Kročková
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Massányi
authors.forename: Alexander V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Sirotkin
authors.forename: Juraj
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pivko
authors.forename: Alexander V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Makarevich
authors.forename: Norbert
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lukáč
authors.forename: Marcela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Capcarová
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Toman
authors.forename: Zuzana
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Poláková
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D009532:Nickel / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D013739:Testosterone; C022838:nickel chloride; D009532:Nickel