Lactational exposure of polychlorinated biphenyls impair Leydig cellular steroidogenesis in F1 progeny rats

The present study was aimed to determine the effects of lactational exposure of PCBs (Aroclor 1254) on Leydig cellular steroidogenesis in F1 progeny rats. Lactating dams were orally treated by gavage with different doses of PCBs (1, 2 and 5 mg/kg b.wt./day). Male progenies were sacrificed on PND60. Our results demonstrated that exposure to PCBs decreased the body weight, testis weight and anogenital distance (AGD) index in the F1 progeny rats. Importantly, PCBs exposure reduced the serum levels of LH, testosterone and estradiol. Interestingly, PCBs caused a decrease in the Leydig cell population along with decreased activities of steroidogenic enzymes 3β- and 17β-HSD. Additionally, we observed a significant decrease in LHR, SR-B1, StAR protein, Cyp11a1, 3β-HSD, Cyp17a1, 17β-HSD, 5α-reductase, Cyp19a1 and AR gene expression in the Leydig cells of progeny rats. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that lactational exposure of PCBs alters Leydig cellular steroidogenesis in the F1 progeny rats.