Chlordecone lacks estrogenic properties in the male rat

The reproductive toxicity of chlordecone has been hypothesized to derive from estrogen mimicry. To test this hypothesis, the effects of estradiol-17 beta, testosterone, and chlordecone on the male reproductive tract of 60-day-old male rats were compared after 72 days of exposure. Estradiol-17 beta (25 micrograms/week) and testosterone (945 micrograms/week), administered by polydimethylsiloxane capsules implanted subdermally, caused significant reductions in spermatogenesis, sperm motility, testicular capacity for secreting testosterone, and the weights of testes and epididymides. Estradiol-17 beta also caused significant declines in serum testosterone concentrations, and the weight of the prostate and seminal vesicles. Chlordecone, administered either by polydimethylsiloxane capsule or by ip injection, had no effect on any of these parameters, except to reduce significantly seminal vesicle weight at the highest dose of injected chlordecone, 7.5 mg/week. Therefore, chlordecone does not mimic estrogen in its effects on the reproductive system of the male rat.