Effects of p,p′-DDE on the mRNA and protein expressions of vimentin, N-cadherin and FSHR in rats testes: An in vivo and in vitro study

To elucidate the mechanism underlying the testicular effects of 1,1-dichloro-2,2bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene (p,p′-DDE), the expressions of vimentin, neural cadherin and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor mRNA and proteins were measured in vivo and in vitro. Sprague-Dawley rats were dosed with p,p′-DDE at 0, 20, 60 and 100 mg/kg every other day by intraperitoneal injection for 10 days, and Sertoli cells were treated with p,p′-DDE (0, 10, 30, and 50 μM) for 24 h. Results indicated that the survival rate of Sertoli cells was decreased with increasing doses of p,p′-DDE. In vitro and in vivo studies, p,p′-DDE could increase the expression of neural cadherin, follicle-stimulating hormone receptor mRNA, while decrease the levels of vimentin, neural cadherin and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor proteins. Moreover, immunohistochemistry analysis revealed that the protein expressions of vimentin, neural cadherin and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor in pubertal rat testes were disrupted by treatment with p,p′-DDE. Taken together, these results suggested that p,p′-DDE exposure could induce testicular toxicity through the changes of the mRNA and protein expressions of vimentin, neural cadherin and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor in vitro and in vivo.

► p,p′-DDE increases the mRNA expression of N-cadherin, FSHR in vitro and in vivo. ► The protein expression of vimentin, N-cadherin and FSHR in pubertal rat testes were decreased by p,p′-DDE treatment. ► Our results revealed that p,p′-DDE could induce testicular toxicity.