The Effect Of Nonylphenol On Testosterone Synthesis And Its Mechanism In Cultured Leydig Cells

Objective:To investigate the effect of NP on the quantity of testosterone secreted from cultured Leydig cell and its mechanism. Methods:After establishment of primary culture method of rat Leydig cells, different concentrations of NP(0,0.1,1,lOμmol/L) were used in cultured cell medium,24 hours later, the contents of testosterone in supernatant and 3β-HSD,P450scc in Leydig cells were measured with ELISA. The mRNA levels of 3(3-HSD and P450scc were quantified by RT-PCR. Results:Compared with the control group, the contents of testosterone in supernatant decreased gradually, at the doses of 1,10μmol/L, the differences were significant(p<0.05).3β-HSD decreased gradually too, at the doses of 1,10μmol/L, the differences were significant in Leydig cells(p<0.05). The mRNA level of 3P-HSD decreased, the difference was significant at the dose of 10μmol/L(p<0.05), While, NP treatment, both the contents of P450scc and the expression level of P450scc increased at lOμmol/L, and increased gradually at higher concentrations. Conclusions:NP inhibited the testosterone production in Leydig cells may mainly by decreasing the 3β-HSD expression and protein content.