Abstract
Exposure to phthalates in utero alters fetal rat testis gene expression and testosterone production, but much remains to be done to understand the mechanisms underlying the direct action of phthalate within the fetal testis.We aimed to investigate the direct mechanisms of action of mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) on the rat fetal testis, focusing on Leydig cell steroidogenesis in particular.We used an in vitro system based on the culture for three days, with or without MEHP, of rat fetal testes obtained at 14.5 days post-coitum.Exposure to MEHP led to a dose-dependent decrease in testosterone production. Moreover, the production of 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (5α-DHT) (−68%) and androstenedione (−54%) was also inhibited by 10 µM MEHP, whereas 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone (17α-OHP) production was found to increase (+41%). Testosterone synthesis was rescued by the addition of androstenedione but not by any of the other precursors used. Thus, the hormone data suggested that steroidogenesis was blocked at the level of the 17,20 lyase activity of the P450c17 enzyme (CYP17), converting 17α-OHP to androstenedione. The subsequent gene expression and protein levels supported this hypothesis. In addition to Cyp17a1, microarray analysis showed that several other genes important for testes development were affected by MEHP. These genes included those encoding insulin-like factor 3 (INSL3), which is involved in controlling testicular descent, and Inha, which encodes the alpha subunit of inhibin B.These findings indicate that under in vitro conditions known to support normal differentiation of the fetal rat testis, the exposure to MEHP directly inhibits several important Leydig cell factors involved in testis function and that the Cyp17a1 gene is a specific target to MEHP explaining the MEHP-induced suppression of steroidogenesis observed.
Highlights
A number of endocrine disruptors (EDs) are known to be antiandrogenic [1,2]
mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) decreases testosterone and 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (5a-DHT) levels The incubation of fetal testis explants with MEHP resulted in the dose-dependent inhibition of testosterone production (Fig. 1). 5a-DHT is the principal androgen active in the development of a number of tissues/organs of the male genital tract [23]
17b-E2 levels remained below the detection limit of the radioimmunoassay (RIA), suggesting that aromatase may be produced in only small amounts or inactive within the fetal testis at gestational days (GD) 14.5–17.5
Summary
A number of endocrine disruptors (EDs) are known to be antiandrogenic [1,2]. Several molecules exert their effect by inhibiting steroid synthesis within a ‘‘masculinization programming window’’ occurring between gestational day 15.5 and 19.5 in the rat [3,4], of which are some phthalic acid esters widely used as additives in the manufacture of plastics [5]. The endocrine disrupting effects of phthalates have been extensively studied in the rat [2] In this species, the male offspring of females exposed to phthalates during pregnancy were found to display reproductive abnormalities, such as hypospadias, cryptorchidism and malformations of the epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles and prostate [3,11]. The male offspring of females exposed to phthalates during pregnancy were found to display reproductive abnormalities, such as hypospadias, cryptorchidism and malformations of the epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles and prostate [3,11] These abnormalities are consistent with the phthalate-induced fetal inhibition of androgen production demonstrated by the administration of a number of phthalates during pregnancy in rats [2]. In an assay based on rat fetal testes in culture between 14.5 and 17.5 gestational days (GD), mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), an active metabolite of DEHP, was found to inhibit testosterone production in a direct, time- and dose-dependent manner [12]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
