Exogenous substances altering the function of the endocrine system and exhibiting adverse health effects on the organism are defined as endocrine disruptors. Nonylphenol is one of the most abundant alkylphenol ethoxylate derivatives, being detected in food products. Diverse studies have classified nonylphenol as hazardous to the health, especially to male reproduction. This in vitro study aimed to examine the effects of 4-nonylphenol on androstenedione and testosterone production as well as on the viability of Leydig cells of NMRI mice. The cells were cultured for 44 h with addition of 0.04; 0.2; 1.0; 2.5 and 5.0 μg/ml of 4-nonylphenol and compared to the control. Quantification of testosterone and androstenedione directly from aliquots of the medium was performed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Cell viability was measured by the metabolic activity assay for mitochondrial functional activity. Androstenedione production significantly (P < 0.001) increased with 1.0; 2.5 and 5.0 μg/ml 4-nonylphenol. Although cAMP-stimulated testosterone production was not significantly affected by 4-nonylphenol, a tendency to attenuate the level of testosterone in the Leydig cells treated with 2.5 and 5.0 μg/ml 4-nonylphenol was observed. The viability of mouse Leydig cells was slightly increased at the lowest doses of 4-nonylphenol (0.04 and 0.2 μg/ml). We also observed an increase at higher concentrations of the substance (1.0; 2.5 and 5.0 μg/ml), but this increase was not significant. Further investigations are required to establish the biological significance and possible reproductive implications.
- MeSH
- AMP cyklický metabolismus MeSH
- androstendion biosyntéza MeSH
- fenoly farmakologie MeSH
- hormony biosyntéza MeSH
- kultivované buňky MeSH
- Leydigovy buňky cytologie účinky léků MeSH
- myši MeSH
- testosteron biosyntéza MeSH
- viabilita buněk účinky léků MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- myši MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- MeSH
- buněčná diferenciace fyziologie MeSH
- cykliny genetika metabolismus MeSH
- finanční podpora výzkumu jako téma MeSH
- Leydigovy buňky cytologie metabolismus MeSH
- myši MeSH
- nádorové supresorové proteiny metabolismus MeSH
- plíce cytologie fyziologie MeSH
- proteiny buněčného cyklu genetika metabolismus MeSH
- regulace genové exprese MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- myši MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
