Effect of mono-ethylhexyl phthalate on MA-10 Leydig tumor cells

We examined the effect of mono-ethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP) on MA-10 Leydig tumor cell structure and function. Cells were exposed to various concentrations of MEHP for 24 h and then stimulated with saturating concentrations of hCG for 2.5 h. Progesterone production, cell viability, and protein content were moderately inhibited by low concentrations and severely inhibited by high concentrations of MEHP. Electron microscopy showed a variety of alterations in the MEHP-treated cells, increasing in severity with increasing concentrations of MEHP. Lipid droplets were profoundly affected in the cells treated with MEHP and morphologic evidence that metabolism of lipid storage droplets ceases at approximately the same time progesterone synthesis stops was seen. Morphometric studies indicated that the number of lipid droplets appeared to be increased 2.5-fold over control levels at MEHP concentrations of 10(-6) to 10(-3) M whereas mitochondrial volume fraction decreased. These results suggest that MEHP in Leydig cells may act as a mitochondrial toxicant and lipid metabolism disrupter.