title: Effects of furan on male rat reproduction parameters in a 90-day gavage study.
abstract: Furan is produced in foods during processing and preservation techniques that involve heat treatment. Previously, we reported that furan-exposed rats exhibited dose-dependent gross and histological changes in liver which correlated with changes in liver serum enzymes ALT, AST and ALP. Here we report the effects of furan on the male reproductive system. There were no histological or weight changes in the reproductive organs. Serum testosterone levels were increased in a dose-dependent manner whereas serum LH was decreased. There were no changes in 17-OHase, 3β-HSD and 17β-HSD activities or serum FSH. Furan did not alter mRNA expression levels for the LH receptor or Tspo but in contrast, mRNA levels of StAR were increased in all doses of furan. The mRNA for the cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (Cyp11a1) was increased by furan at the high dose, as was the level of intratesticular testosterone. We conclude that subchronic furan exposure affects testicular steroidogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Toxicology Research Division, Sir Frederick G. Banting Research Centre, 2202D1 Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1A 0L2. Electronic address: Gerard.Cooke@hc-sc.gc.ca.
authors.forename: Gerard M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Cooke
authors.affiliation: Toxicology Research Division, Sir Frederick G. Banting Research Centre, 2202D1 Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1A 0L2.
authors.forename: Marnie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.affiliation: Toxicology Research Division, Sir Frederick G. Banting Research Centre, 2202D1 Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1A 0L2.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bourque
authors.affiliation: Toxicology Research Division, Sir Frederick G. Banting Research Centre, 2202D1 Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1A 0L2.
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Curran
authors.affiliation: Toxicology Research Division, Sir Frederick G. Banting Research Centre, 2202D1 Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1A 0L2.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gurofsky
authors.affiliation: Toxicology Research Division, Sir Frederick G. Banting Research Centre, 2202D1 Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1A 0L2.
authors.forename: Santokh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gill
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D005663:Furans / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism; D007441:Intubation, Gastrointestinal; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008861:Microsomes / Q000201:enzymology; D051381:Rats; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D013256:Steroids / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013737:Testis / Q000201:enzymology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D005663:Furans; D013256:Steroids; D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone
keywords: Furan; Gavage; LH; Male reproduction; Steroidogenesis; Testosterone