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Published on: July 5, 2024
Octylphenol affects morphology and steroidogenesis in mouse tumor Leydig cells
Malgorzata Kotula-Balak1, Ewa Pochec, Anna Hejmej
1Department of Endocrinology and Tissue Culture, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, Ingardena 6, 30-060 Krakow, Poland. malgorzata.kotula-balak@uj.edu.pl
Summary
This study shows that 4-tert-Octylphenol (OP) negatively impacts Leydig cell function by decreasing 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) and androgen receptor (AR) expression and lowering progesterone levels.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Reproductive Biology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Xenoestrogen exposure can disrupt reproductive health in animals.
- Specific effects of xenoestrogens on Leydig cell function are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of 4-tert-Octylphenol (OP) on MA-10 Leydig cell morphology and function.
- To examine the effects of OP on the expression of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) and androgen receptor (AR).
Main Methods:
- MA-10 Leydig cells were exposed to varying concentrations of OP for 3 and 12 hours.
- Morphological changes were assessed using Oil Red O staining.
- Protein expression (3β-HSD, AR) was analyzed via immunocytochemistry and Western blot.
- Progesterone secretion was measured using radioimmunological analysis.
Main Results:
- OP exposure caused morphological alterations and changes in lipid droplet distribution in Leydig cells.
- A dose-dependent decrease in both 3β-HSD and AR expression was observed.
- Progesterone secretion was significantly reduced in OP-treated cells in a time-dependent manner.
Conclusions:
- 4-tert-Octylphenol (OP) exerts dose- and time-dependent effects on Leydig cell morphology and steroidogenesis.
- OP may influence Leydig cell function through both estrogen receptor (ER) and androgen receptor (AR) pathways.
