Objective: To explore the effects of testosterone synthesis in adult leydig cell (ALC) of male rats exposed by perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) during pregnancy.
Methods: At gestations 12 day, the pregnant rats were exposed to PFOS (5 mg/kg, PFOS group) or 0.5% Tween (control group) by gavage, once a day for 8 consecutive days. On postnatal day (PND) 70, several indexes of male offspring rats were measured including body mass, testicular coefficient, sperm count, serum testosterone concentration. The mRNA levels of ALC associated with testosterone synthesis were detected by real-time quantitative RT-PCR.
Results: The result showed that sperm count and serum testosterone concentration decreased in male offspring rats of PFOS group (P < 0.05), and body mass was significantly lower (P < 0.001). The expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory factor (Star), scavenger receptor class B type 1 (Scarb1), Cyp11a1 (coding gene of cytochrome P450 side chain cleavage) and Hsd17b3 (coding gene of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase) were down regulated (P < 0.05), no significant statistical difference was observed on the mRNA level of insulin-like growth factor-1 (Igf1) and insulin-like factor 3 (Insl3).
Conclusion: Gestational exposure to PFOS can inhibit the mRNA levels associated with testosterone synthesis, and decrease the ability of testosterone synthesis in ALC of male offspring rats.