Effects of maternal exposure to di-isononylphthalate (DINP) and 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene (p,p'-DDE) on steroidogenesis in the fetal rat testis and adrenal gland

Reprod Toxicol. 2009 Jul;28(1):66-74. doi: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2009.03.002. Epub 2009 Mar 20.

Abstract

Exposure to antiandrogens during the critical developmental window (i.e. sexual differentiation) can permanently demasculinize the male phenotype. Here we have investigated the effects of developmental exposure to di-isononylphthalate (DINP) (250 and 750 mg/kg) and 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene (p,p'-DDE) (50 and 100mg/kg) on 19.5-day-old fetal Sprague-Dawley rat testicular and adrenal steroidogenesis. Maternal exposure to DINP or p,p'-DDE on embryonic days (EDs) 13.5-17.5 did not down-regulate the activity of steroidogenesis in ED 19.5 male rat fetus. Protein expression levels of testicular and adrenal StAR, P450scc, 3beta-HSD and androgen receptor (AR) did not show any changes. However, p,p'-DDE caused clear abnormalities in the ultrastructure of steroidogenic cells in ED 19.5 rat testis and adrenal. These structural alterations can disturb the development and function of fetal testis and adrenal that may become evident later in life.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / genetics
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / biosynthesis*
  • Adrenal Glands / drug effects*
  • Adrenal Glands / embryology
  • Adrenal Glands / metabolism
  • Adrenal Glands / ultrastructure
  • Androgen Antagonists / administration & dosage
  • Androgen Antagonists / toxicity*
  • Animals
  • Cholesterol Side-Chain Cleavage Enzyme / genetics
  • Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene / administration & dosage
  • Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene / analogs & derivatives*
  • Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene / toxicity
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / drug effects
  • Gestational Age
  • Gonadal Steroid Hormones / biosynthesis*
  • Male
  • Maternal Exposure*
  • Phosphoproteins / genetics
  • Phthalic Acids / toxicity*
  • Pregnancy
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Receptors, Androgen / genetics
  • Testis / drug effects*
  • Testis / embryology
  • Testis / metabolism
  • Testis / ultrastructure

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Androgen Antagonists
  • Gonadal Steroid Hormones
  • Phosphoproteins
  • Phthalic Acids
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Androgen
  • steroidogenic acute regulatory protein
  • diisononyl phthalate
  • Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene
  • 3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases
  • Cholesterol Side-Chain Cleavage Enzyme