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9420127 
Book/Book Chapter 
Effect of endocrine disruptors (pcbs/dehp) on testicular leydig cells in adult and f1 male offspring rats 
Jagadeesan, A; Palaniappan, M; Perumal, E; Sekaran, S; Thangavelu, SK 
2020 
Nova Science Publishers, Inc. 
Leydig Cells: Structure, Functions and Clinical Aspects 
71-84 
English 
Leydig cells are present in the interstitial compartment of the mammalian testis and their main function is to produce testosterone which is essential for spermatogenesis and development of secondary sexual characters. LH is the primary regulator of Leydig cell function. Endocrine disruptors such as polychlorinated biphenyls, diethyl hexyl phthalate which are environmental contaminants cause adverse effects on Leydig cell structure and function hypertrophy and reduced capacity to produce testosterone. Our earlier studies proved that these disrupters altered the hypothalamic pituitary testicular axis in adult rats. The depletion of Leydig cellular antioxidant enzymes and increase in the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation were observed in PCB exposed adult rats. Our studies demonstrated that PCB inhibits testosterone biosynthesis, Leydig cellular LH receptors, steroidogenic enzymes and antioxidant enzymes in adult rats. Lactational exposure of PCBs downregulated critical genes in Leydig cells of F1 male progeny. In utero exposure of phthalate downregulates critical genes in Leydig cells of F1 male progeny. Gestational exposure of phthalate induced hypermethylation in SP1 and Sp1 promoter in Leydig cells of F1 offspring rats. Lycopene is a highly efficient antioxidant and has a singlet-oxygen and free radical scavenging capacity. It has protective effects against testicular toxicity, spermiotoxicity, cardiotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Our studies demonstrated that lycopene supplementation improved and maintained the normal level of testosterone via improving the expression of StAR protein and steroidogenic enzymes in Leydig cells of PCB exposed rats. Ameliorative effect of α-tocopherol on PCB induced testicular Sertoli cell dysfunction in F1 prepubertal rats was also studied. Extensive studies on Leydig cells are in progress. © 2020 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.