Skip Navigation



ToxSci Advance Access published online on May 12, 2004

Toxicological Sciences, doi:10.1093/toxsci/kfh169
Toxicological Sciences © Society of Toxicology 2004; all rights reserved
This Article
Right arrow Advance Access manuscript (PDF) Freely available
Right arrow All Versions of this Article:
81/1/60    most recent
kfh169v1
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My Personal Archive
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Right arrow Disclaimer
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Lehmann, K. P.
Right arrow Articles by Gaido, K. W.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Lehmann, K. P.
Right arrow Articles by Gaido, K. W.
Social Bookmarking
 Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us  
What's this?

Received March 19, 2004
Accepted May 5, 2004

Endocrine Toxicology

Dose-Dependent Alterations in Gene Expression and Testosterone Synthesis in the Fetal Testes of Male Rats Exposed to Di (n-Butyl) Phthalate

Kim P. Lehmann 1, Suzanne Phillips 1, Madhabananda Sar 1, Paul M. D. Foster 1, Kevin W. Gaido 1*

1 CIIT Centers for Health Research, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: gaido{at}ciit.org.


   Abstract

Exposure to di (n-butyl) phthalate (DBP) in utero impairs development of the male rat reproductive tract. The adverse effects are due in part to a coordinated decrease in expression of genes involved in cholesterol transport and steroidogenesis with a resultant reduction in testosterone production in the fetal testis. To determine the dose-response relationship for the effect of DBP on steroidogenesis in fetal rat testes, pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats received corn oil (vehicle control) or DBP (0.1, 1.0, 10, 50, 100, or 500 mg/kg/day) by gavage daily from gestation day (gd) 12 to 19. Testes were isolated on gd 19, and changes in gene and protein expression were quantified by RT-PCR and Western analysis. Fetal testicular testosterone concentration was determined by radioimmunoassay. DBP exposure resulted in significant dose-dependent reductions in mRNA and protein concentration of scavenger receptor, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), cytochrome P450 side-chain cleavage, 3{beta}-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, and cytochrome P450c17. Testicular testosterone was reduced at doses of 50 mg/kg/day and above. Whole-testis expression of peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) mRNA, which functions with StAR to transport cholesterol across the mitochondrial membrane, was up-regulated following exposure to DBP at 500 mg/kg/day. By immunocytochemistry however, PBR protein was reduced in interstitial cells and also expressed but not reduced in gonocytes. Our results demonstrate a coordinate, dose-dependent reduction in expression of key genes and proteins involved in cholesterol transport and steroidogenesis and a corresponding reduction in testosterone in fetal testes following maternal exposure to DBP at dose levels below which adverse effects are detected in the developing male reproductive tract. Alterations in gene and protein expression and testosterone synthesis may serve as sensitive indicators of testicular response to DBP.

Key Words: phthalate di (n-butyl), in utero exposure, male reproductive development, antiandrogen, molecular mechanisms, androgen receptor, dose response, steroidogenesis .


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us    What's this?


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
Toxicol SciHome page
C. Taxvig, A. M. Vinggaard, U. Hass, M. Axelstad, J. Boberg, P. R. Hansen, H. Frederiksen, and C. Nellemann
Do Parabens Have the Ability to Interfere with Steroidogenesis?
Toxicol. Sci., November 1, 2008; 106(1): 206 - 213.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Toxicol SciHome page
K. J. Johnson, S. M. McCahan, X. Si, L. Campion, R. Herrmann, and J. S. Barthold
The orl Rat with Inherited Cryptorchidism Has Increased Susceptibility to the Testicular Effects of In Utero Dibutyl Phthalate Exposure
Toxicol. Sci., October 1, 2008; 105(2): 360 - 367.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Toxicol SciHome page
K. L. Howdeshell, V. S. Wilson, J. Furr, C. R. Lambright, C. V. Rider, C. R. Blystone, A. K. Hotchkiss, and L. E. Gray Jr
A Mixture of Five Phthalate Esters Inhibits Fetal Testicular Testosterone Production in the Sprague-Dawley Rat in a Cumulative, Dose-Additive Manner
Toxicol. Sci., September 1, 2008; 105(1): 153 - 165.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Toxicol SciHome page
B. W. Cooper, T. M. Cho, P. M. Thompson, and A. D. Wallace
Phthalate Induction of CYP3A4 is Dependent on Glucocorticoid Regulation of PXR Expression
Toxicol. Sci., June 1, 2008; 103(2): 268 - 277.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Toxicol SciHome page
R. A. Clewell, J. J. Kremer, C. C. Williams, J. L. Campbell Jr, M. E. Andersen, and S. J. Borghoff
Tissue Exposures to Free and Glucuronidated Monobutylyphthalate in the Pregnant and Fetal Rat following Exposure to Di-n-butylphthalate: Evaluation with a PBPK Model
Toxicol. Sci., June 1, 2008; 103(2): 241 - 259.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
EndocrinologyHome page
A. J. Kuhl, S. M. Ross, and K. W. Gaido
CCAAT/Enhancer Binding Protein {beta}, But Not Steroidogenic Factor-1, Modulates the Phthalate-Induced Dysregulation of Rat Fetal Testicular Steroidogenesis
Endocrinology, December 1, 2007; 148(12): 5851 - 5864.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Biol. Reprod.Home page
K. J Johnson, J. B Hensley, M. D Kelso, D. G Wallace, and K. W Gaido
Mapping Gene Expression Changes in the Fetal Rat Testis Following Acute Dibutyl Phthalate Exposure Defines a Complex Temporal Cascade of Responding Cell Types
Biol Reprod, December 1, 2007; 77(6): 978 - 989.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Toxicol SciHome page
K. L. Howdeshell, J. Furr, C. R. Lambright, C. V. Rider, V. S. Wilson, and L. E. Gray Jr
Cumulative Effects of Dibutyl Phthalate and Diethylhexyl Phthalate on Male Rat Reproductive Tract Development: Altered Fetal Steroid Hormones and Genes
Toxicol. Sci., September 1, 2007; 99(1): 190 - 202.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
EndocrinologyHome page
S.-Y. Zhang, Y. Ito, O. Yamanoshita, Y. Yanagiba, M. Kobayashi, K. Taya, C. Li, A. Okamura, M. Miyata, J. Ueyama, et al.
Permethrin May Disrupt Testosterone Biosynthesis via Mitochondrial Membrane Damage of Leydig Cells in Adult Male Mouse
Endocrinology, August 1, 2007; 148(8): 3941 - 3949.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Toxicol SciHome page
C. R. Blystone, C. S. Lambright, K. L. Howdeshell, J. Furr, R. M. Sternberg, B. C. Butterworth, E. J. Durhan, E. A. Makynen, G. T. Ankley, V. S. Wilson, et al.
Sensitivity of Fetal Rat Testicular Steroidogenesis to Maternal Prochloraz Exposure and the Underlying Mechanism of Inhibition
Toxicol. Sci., June 1, 2007; 97(2): 512 - 519.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Toxicol SciHome page
S. Plummer, R. M. Sharpe, N. Hallmark, I. K. Mahood, and C. Elcombe
Time-Dependent and Compartment-Specific Effects of In Utero Exposure to Di(n-butyl) Phthalate on Gene/Protein Expression in the Fetal Rat Testis as Revealed by Transcription Profiling and Laser Capture Microdissection
Toxicol. Sci., June 1, 2007; 97(2): 520 - 532.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Toxicol SciHome page
S. A. Lahousse, D. G. Wallace, D. Liu, K. W. Gaido, and K. J. Johnson
Testicular Gene Expression Profiling following Prepubertal Rat Mono-(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate Exposure Suggests a Common Initial Genetic Response at Fetal and Prepubertal Ages
Toxicol. Sci., October 1, 2006; 93(2): 369 - 381.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
EndocrinologyHome page
D. V. Henley and K. S. Korach
Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals Use Distinct Mechanisms of Action to Modulate Endocrine System Function
Endocrinology, June 1, 2006; 147(6): s25 - s32.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Toxicol PatholHome page
R. M. David
Proposed Mode of Action for In Utero Effects of Some Phthalate Esters on the Developing Male Reproductive Tract
Toxicol Pathol, April 1, 2006; 34(3): 209 - 219.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Biol. Reprod.Home page
E. Kleymenova, C. Swanson, K. Boekelheide, and K. W. Gaido
Exposure In Utero to Di(n-Butyl) Phthalate Alters the Vimentin Cytoskeleton of Fetal Rat Sertoli Cells and Disrupts Sertoli Cell-Gonocyte Contact
Biol Reprod, September 1, 2005; 73(3): 482 - 490.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Toxicol SciHome page
M. E. Wyde, S. E. Kirwan, F. Zhang, A. Laughter, H. B. Hoffman, E. Bartolucci-Page, K. W. Gaido, B. Yan, and L. You
Di-n-Butyl Phthalate Activates Constitutive Androstane Receptor and Pregnane X Receptor and Enhances the Expression of Steroid-Metabolizing Enzymes in the Liver of Rat Fetuses
Toxicol. Sci., August 1, 2005; 86(2): 281 - 290.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Toxicol SciHome page
C. J. Bowman, K. J. Turner, M. Sar, N. J. Barlow, K. W. Gaido, and P. M. D. Foster
Altered Gene Expression During Rat Wolffian Duct Development following Di(n-Butyl) Phthalate Exposure
Toxicol. Sci., July 1, 2005; 86(1): 161 - 174.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Biol. Reprod.Home page
K. Liu, K. P. Lehmann, M. Sar, S. S. Young, and K. W. Gaido
Gene Expression Profiling Following In Utero Exposure to Phthalate Esters Reveals New Gene Targets in the Etiology of Testicular Dysgenesis
Biol Reprod, July 1, 2005; 73(1): 180 - 192.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Toxicol SciHome page
J. C. Corton and P. J. Lapinskas
Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors: Mediators of Phthalate Ester-Induced Effects in the Male Reproductive Tract?
Toxicol. Sci., January 1, 2005; 83(1): 4 - 17.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]



Disclaimer:
Please note that abstracts for content published before 1996 were created through digital scanning and may therefore not exactly replicate the text of the original print issues. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, but the Publisher will not be held responsible for any remaining inaccuracies. If you require any further clarification, please contact our Customer Services Department.