Study Of Reproductive Toxicity Of Environmental Estrogic Octylphenol On Male Rats

Objective To investigate the mechanism of male reproductive toxicity of octylphenol in in vivo and in vitro. Methods 54 healthy male SD rats were divided into 5 groups at random:saline,corn oil, octylphenol (80,160,320mg/kg).the rats were administrated OP by gavage for 60 days ,the weight and pathological changes in the sexual gland,the quality of sperm,the content of blood serum testosterone(T), follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH),luteinizing hormone(LH),the activity of nitric oxide synthase(NOS) and the content of nitric oxide(NO),the expression of vimentin filaments in sertoli cells all were observed. In vitro study ,the percentages of viable cells and the excretion of lactic acid in sertoli cells were observed. Results (1)The weight of testis,epididymis,seminal ersicle were lower(P<0.05,.P<0.01),and the pathological changes in testis were aggravated gradually by the exposed dose.(2)The count and the motility of spermatozoa were lower(.P<0.01),and the incidence of sperm deformity was higher(P<0.05).(3)The contents of T,FSH,LH in blood serum were lower(P<0.05,P<0.01).(4)The activities of NOS in testicle tissue were inhibited(P<0.05),and the contents of NO were lower(P<0.05).(5)The expression of vimentin filaments in sertoli cells was decreased(P<0.05 , P<0.01).(6) The percentages of viable cells were lower(P<0.05,P<0.01) and the excretion of lactic acid in sertoli cells was higher(.P<0.05,P<0.01). Conclusions (1) The sexual glands and the quality of sperm were impaired by OP.(2)OP induced reproductive system injure of male rats may beassociated with the decrease of the contents of T,FSH,LH, and the inhibition on NOS,the fall of NO content,the decrease of vimentin filaments in sertoli cells,as well as the decrease of the percentages of viable cells and the increase of the excretion of lactic acid in sertoli cells.