[Effects of nonylphenol on PCNA expression and aromatase expression in reproductive system of F1 generation].

OBJECTIVE

To elucidate the mechanism of the toxicity of nonylphenol (NP) to reproductive development by analyzing the PCNA and Aromatase expression of the F1 generation male reproductive system in perinatal period.

METHODS

Nonylphenol was administrated to pregnant rats at doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, respectively, for 7 to 20 days of pregnancy. The rats were sacrificed at 20 days of pregnancy and 2 days after parturition. Their serum levels of estradiol and nonylphenol were determined. The histopathological examination and immune histochemical analysis on testis and epididymis were also performed.

RESULTS

Significantly higher serum estradiol and nonylphenol levels were found in the pregnant rats treated with nonylphenol. Immune histochemical analysis showed that the PCNA expression levels of testis tissues of F1 generation rats, both 20-day-old fetus and 2-day-old neonatal rats, in 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg experiment groups were much lower than those in the control group. Both PCNA expression of epididymis and Aromatase expression of testis of the F1 generation rats after 2 days of birth in 200 mg/kg group were also lower than those in the control group.

CONCLUSION

Nonylphenol can impair the development of testis and epididymis of the F1 generation in perinatal period.