Differential effects of nonylphenol on testosterone secretion in rat Leydig cells

Nonylphenol (NP), a final metabolite of nonylphenol polyethoxylate, has been reported to interfere with male reproduction. However, its mechanisms are not fully understood. In the present study, we examined the effects of NP on steroidogenesis of testosterone in rat Leydig cells. The testosterone concentrations in rat plasma were examined after intravenous injection of NP (100 μg/kg) at different time intervals. In addition, rat Leydig cells were challenged with different concentrations of NP (4.25–127.5 μM) to evaluate its influences on testosterone steroidogenesis. Administration of NP showed a decrease of hCG-induced plasma testosterone. Moreover, in vitro experiments revealed that NP (127.5 μM) alone stimulated testosterone release through increase of both protein levels and activities of the StAR and P450SCC. In contrast, NP inhibited hCG-induced testosterone release in rat Leydig cells. The inhibitory effect was also observed after incubation of the Leydig cells in the presence of different precursors. These results suggested that NP had differential effects on testosterone synthesis.