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Do parabens have the ability to interfere with steroidogenesis?

Camilla Taxvig1, Anne Marie Vinggaard, Ulla Hass

  • 1National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Department of Toxicology and Risk Assessment, DK-2860 Søborg, Denmark. camta@food.dtu.dk

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Butyl paraben may disrupt endocrine function by affecting cholesterol transport and steroidogenesis, though in utero exposure showed limited effects. Further in vitro studies revealed potential thyroid hormone receptor agonism and increased progesterone formation.

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Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Toxicology
  • Reproductive Science

Background:

  • Parabens are common preservatives with potential endocrine-disrupting properties.
  • Evaluating the in utero effects of parabens on steroidogenesis is crucial for understanding developmental risks.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the effects of in utero exposure to ethyl and butyl paraben on steroidogenesis in rats.
  • To investigate the in vitro effects of parabens on steroidogenesis and thyroid hormone receptor activity.

Main Methods:

  • In utero exposure of Wistar rats to ethyl and butyl paraben from gestational day 7 to 21.
  • In vitro testing using the H295R steroidogenesis assay and T-screen assay.
  • Analysis of testosterone, anogenital distance, testicular histopathology, and gene expression.

Main Results:

  • In utero exposure did not affect testosterone, anogenital distance, or testicular histology.
  • Butyl paraben decreased estradiol receptor-beta mRNA in fetal ovaries and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein/peripheral benzodiazepine receptor mRNA in adrenal glands.
  • In vitro, butyl paraben weakly agonized thyroid hormone receptors and both parabens increased progesterone formation in the H295R assay.

Conclusions:

  • Butyl paraben shows potential endocrine-disrupting activity in vitro by interfering with steroidogenesis.
  • Short-term in vivo experiments did not reveal clear endocrine-disrupting capabilities for either paraben.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms and in vivo relevance of observed effects.