Effect of nanoparticle-rich diesel exhaust on testosterone biosynthesis in adult male mice

Inhal Toxicol. 2012 Aug;24(9):599-608. doi: 10.3109/08958378.2012.702140.

Abstract

The effect of nanoparticle-rich diesel exhaust (NR-DE) on the testicular function and factors related with the biosynthesis of testosterone gene expression were investigated in mice. Male C57BL/Jcl mice were exposed to clean air, low-dose NR-DE (Low NR-DE), high-dose NR-DE (High NR-DE) or filtered diesel exhaust (F-DE) for 8 weeks. We found that the mice exposed to High NR-DE had significantly higher testosterone levels than those in the control and F-DE groups. To determine the effects of NR-DE on testicular testosterone production, interstitial cells dissected from the male mice which were exposed to NR-DE, F-DE, or clean air for 8 weeks were incubated with or without human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG; 0.1 IU/mL) for 4 h. The concentrations of testosterone in the culture media were measured. The testosterone production was significantly increased in with or without hCG of High NR-DE exposed group, and significantly decreased in both with or without hCG of F-DE exposed groups. Moreover, several genes, which is associated with testicular cholesterol synthesis, HMG-CoA, LDL-R, SR-B1, PBR, and P450scc, P450 17α, and 17β-HSD were determined in the testis of adult male mice. The results showed High NR-DE exposure significantly increased the expression of these genes. Whereas, the levels in the F-DE exposure group returned to those in the control group, implicating that the nanoparticles in DE contribute to the observed reproductive toxicity. We conclude that enhancement of testosterone biosynthesis by NR-DE exposure may be regulated by increasing testicular enzymes of testosterone biosynthesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / genetics
  • Air Pollutants / toxicity*
  • Animals
  • Cholesterol Side-Chain Cleavage Enzyme / genetics
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone / blood
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases / genetics
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Synthase / genetics
  • Luteinizing Hormone / blood
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Nanoparticles / toxicity*
  • Progesterone / blood
  • Receptors, GABA-A / genetics
  • Receptors, LDL / genetics
  • Scavenger Receptors, Class B / genetics
  • Sperm Count
  • Steroid 17-alpha-Hydroxylase / genetics
  • Testis / drug effects
  • Testis / metabolism
  • Testis / pathology
  • Testosterone / biosynthesis*
  • Testosterone / blood
  • Vehicle Emissions / toxicity*

Substances

  • Air Pollutants
  • Receptors, GABA-A
  • Receptors, LDL
  • Scarb1 protein, mouse
  • Scavenger Receptors, Class B
  • Vehicle Emissions
  • Testosterone
  • Progesterone
  • Luteinizing Hormone
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone
  • 17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases
  • Steroid 17-alpha-Hydroxylase
  • Cholesterol Side-Chain Cleavage Enzyme
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Synthase