In utero single low-dose exposure of cadmium induces rat fetal Leydig cell dysfunction

Abstract

Cadmium chloride (Cd) is a potent endocrine disruptor and may cause the malformation in the male reproductive tract. However, the effects of a single in utero exposure to low doses of Cd on fetal Leydig cell development are still unknown. The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of a single in utero exposure to low doses of Cd on rat fetal Leydig cell development. Adult 64-day-old Sprague-Dawley dams received a single intraperitoneal injection of 0, 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/kg Cd on gestational day 12. Cd dose-dependently reduced testosterone production of fetal testis, lowered fetal Leydig cell numbers, downregulated protein expression levels of Leydig (LHCGR, SCARB1, STAR, CYP11A1, HSD3B1, and CYP17A1), and Sertoli cells (HSD17B3, DHH, and FSHR). In conclusion, our results demonstrated that a single in utero exposure to low doses of Cd blocked fetal Leydig cell development.

Keywords: Cadmium chloride; Fetal Leydig cell development; Leydig cells; Rat; Testis.