title: Modulating role of pheromonal cues from oestrus-specific urine on 3-methylcholanthrene-induced male reproductive toxicity.
abstract: Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are persistent organic pollutants that contribute to endocrine/gonadal disruption. This study was designed to investigate the endocrine modulating role of pheromones in alleviating the reproductive toxic effects of 3-MC (3-methylcholanthrene), one of the common PAHs, in rat model. The rats were injected intraperitoneally with 3-MC at a dose of 25 mg kg(-1) BW. The serum levels of testosterone and other biochemical parameters were altered to significant levels in 3-MC-treated rats and oestrus-specific urine exposure restored all these effects to near normal. Although testis weight did not indicate any significant change, sperm and spermatid counts were significantly reduced in 3-MC-treated rats, which became normal in oestrus-urine-exposed rats. Hence, this study suggests that oestrus-specific urinary pheromones have the potential to modulate the endocrine system and alleviate the male reproductive toxic effects produced by 3-MC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Suriyakalaa
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gayathiri
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: SankarGanesh
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kokilavani
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sukirtha
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ramachandran
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, Bishop Heber College, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kamalakkannan
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Achiraman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003463:Cues; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity; D004971:Estrus / Q000652:urine*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008748:Methylcholanthrene / Q000633:toxicity*; D023421:Models, Animal; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D012724:Sex Attractants / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D012724:Sex Attractants; D013739:Testosterone; D008748:Methylcholanthrene
keywords: 3-Methylcholanthrene; endocrine disruptors; oestrus-specific urine; pheromones; testosterone