Exposure to perfluorooctane sulfonate in utero reduces testosterone production in rat fetal Leydig cells.
BACKGROUND
Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is a synthetic material that has been widely used in industrial applications for decades. Exposure to PFOS has been associated with decreased adult testosterone level, and Leydig cell impairment during the time of adulthood. However, little is known about PFOS effects in utero on fetal Leydig cells (FLC).


RESULTS
The present study investigated effects of PFOS on FLC function. Pregnant Sprague Dawley female rats received vehicle (0.05% Tween20) or PFOS (5, 20 mg/kg) by oral gavage from gestational day (GD) 11-19. At GD20, testosterone (T) production, FLC numbers and ultrastructure, testicular gene and protein expression levels were examined. The results indicate that exposures to PFOS have affected FLC function as evidenced by decreased T production, impaired FLC, reduced FLC number, and decreased steroidogenic capacity and cholesterol level in utero.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study shows that PFOS is an endocrine disruptor of male reproductive system as it causes reduction of T production and impairment of rat fetal Leydig cells.
Heilongjiang Key Laboratory of Anti-fibrosis Biotherapy, Heilongjiang, P. R. China.
Binghai
B
Zhao
Heilongjiang Key Laboratory of Anti-fibrosis Biotherapy, Heilongjiang, P. R. China.
Li
L
Li
Heilongjiang Key Laboratory of Anti-fibrosis Biotherapy, Heilongjiang, P. R. China.
Jieting
J
Liu
Heilongjiang Key Laboratory of Anti-fibrosis Biotherapy, Heilongjiang, P. R. China.
Hongzhi
H
Li
Heilongjiang Key Laboratory of Anti-fibrosis Biotherapy, Heilongjiang, P. R. China.
Chunlei
C
Zhang
Hong Qi Hospital, Mudanjiang Medical University, Heilongjiang, P. R. China.
Pengfei
P
Han
Heilongjiang Key Laboratory of Anti-fibrosis Biotherapy, Heilongjiang, P. R. China.
Yufei
Y
Zhang
Heilongjiang Key Laboratory of Anti-fibrosis Biotherapy, Heilongjiang, P. R. China.
Xiaohuan
X
Yuan
The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
Ren Shan
RS
Ge
Heilongjiang Key Laboratory of Anti-fibrosis Biotherapy, Heilongjiang, P. R. China.
Yanhui
Y
Chu
D017738:Alkanesulfonic Acids / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002452:Cell Count; D048429:Cell Size / Q000187:drug effects; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D005466:Fluorocarbons / Q000633:toxicity*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D018811:Maternal Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects; D013739:Testosterone / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D017738:Alkanesulfonic Acids; D005466:Fluorocarbons; D013739:Testosterone; D002784:Cholesterol; C076994:perfluorooctane sulfonic acid