The endocrine disruptor hexachlorobenzene can cause oxidative damage in the testis of mice

Hexachlorobenzene is a widespread endocrine disruptor. However, the effect of hexachlorobenzene on the reproductive toxicity of male animals is not described in detail. To investigate the toxic effects of hexachlorobenzene in mouse testes, hexachlorobenzene (100, 400 and 1,600 mg/kg) is fed to mice. The morphology of the testes was analysed by haematoxylin and eosin staining. We also investigated the expression of biomarkers for oxidative stress. Database screening identified proteins that interact with hexachlorobenzene and the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, a weak ligand of hexachlorobenzene. Gene enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction analyses were also performed. Real-time PCR detected the expression levels of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor in four different stages of testicular cells. We identified significantly increased activity levels of superoxide dismutase (p < 0.05) and catalase (p < 0.05) in mouse testes that had been subjected to oxidative damage. The cell thickness and the number of cell layers in the seminiferous tubules had decreased by varying degrees after the hexachlorobenzene treatment. Particularly, cytokines and proteins involved in transcriptional regulation showed enrichment. The highest levels of aryl hydrocarbon receptor expression were detected in the spermatocytic cell line. Hexachlorobenzene exposure caused testicular damage in mice. The toxicity characteristics of hexachlorobenzene were not dose-dependent.