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Updated: Jan 13, 2026
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Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants
Published on: March 6, 2018
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Embryonic Benzo[a]pyrene Exposure Induces Multigenerational Reproductive Effects on Adult Male Medaka: Phenotypic and
Yinhua Chen1, Yi Yang2, Xian Qin3
1Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Disaster Prediction and Prevention, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China.
Toxics
|October 28, 2025
Summary
Embryonic exposure to Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) disrupts male medaka reproductive health by altering key molecular pathways. While F0 generation effects were severe, the F1 generation showed recovery, suggesting potential resilience.
Area of Science:
- Environmental toxicology
- Reproductive biology
- Molecular mechanisms of toxicity
Background:
- Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) is an environmental pollutant with known reproductive health risks.
- The molecular mechanisms of B[a]P's impact on male reproduction are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of embryonic B[a]P exposure on testicular function and spermatogenesis in medaka.
- To elucidate the molecular pathways affected by B[a]P during early development.
Main Methods:
- Medaka embryos were exposed to sublethal B[a]P concentrations.
- Transcriptomic analysis was performed on adult F0 male medaka testicular tissues.
- Physiological parameters including gonadosomatic index and sperm quality were assessed.
Main Results:
- B[a]P exposure dysregulated the brain-pituitary-gonadal axis, suppressed testosterone biosynthesis, and altered energy metabolism and cytoskeletal organization pathways.
- Apoptotic pathways were activated, disrupting spermatogenic cell fate.
- F0 males exhibited reduced gonadosomatic index, decreased sperm motility, and impaired fertilization, with recovery observed in the F1 generation.
Conclusions:
- Early-life B[a]P exposure causes significant molecular disruptions leading to male reproductive toxicity.
- The study provides a molecular basis for B[a]P's reproductive toxicity and highlights potential transgenerational effects.
- Medaka serve as a valuable model for understanding the reproductive impacts of environmental pollutants.
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