Maternal oestrogen/xenoestrogen exposure alters expression of steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1/Ad4BP) in the fetal rat testis

MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR ENDOCRINOLOGY

卷:127

Article

Majdic, G ; Sharpe, RM ; Saunders, PTK

关键词: diethylstilbestrol;    octylphenol;    oestrogen receptor;    Leydig;    Sertoli;   

DOI  :  10.1016/S0303-7207(96)03998-6

来源: Elsevier

【 摘 要 】

Expression of steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1/Ad4BP) is essential for gonadal differentiation. We have assessed whether expression of SF-1 in the gonads of rat fetuses was altered following maternal treatment with diethylstilbestrol (DES, a synthetic oestrogen) or 4-octylphenol (OP, a xenoestrogen). Pregnant rats were injected subcutaneously with DES (500 mu g/kg), OP (600 mg/kg) or vehicle (oil, control) on days 11.5 and 15.5 post coitum (p.c.) and fetal rat testes were recovered on day 17.5 p.c. The level of expression of SF-1 was determined by RNase protection assay and immunocytochemistry. In both DES- and OP-exposed fetuses immunoexpression of SF-1 was reduced in Sertoli and interstitial cells when compared with controls. In parallel, a significant decrease occurred in the total amount of SF-1 mRNA (P < 0.05) in fetal testes but not in fetal ovaries. These results suggest that: (a) Sertoli cell-derived oestradiol may be important in the physiological regulation of SF-1 in the fetal testis; and (b) one mechanism by which inappropriate exposure to oestrogens might alter the genetic cascade that ensures normal development of the testis is via altered expression of SF-1. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.

【 授权许可】

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