聚苯乙烯纳米塑料致雄性小鼠睾丸睾酮合成障碍的作用机制研究

doi:10.16431/j.cnki.1671-7236.2025.04.004

Abstract

Abstract: 【Objective】 The aim of this study was to explore the effects of polystyrene nanoparticles (NPs) on reproductive system damage and testosterone synthesis in male mice.【Method】 A total of 24 clean grade male C56 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups:Control group and low (0.1 mg/L),medium (1 mg/L) and high (10 mg/L) dose polystyrene NPs groups,with 6 mice in each group.The experiment lasted for 90 d.After the test,blood was collected from eyeballs of mice,epididymis and testicles were removed after neck removal,and sperm was collected.Testis were weighed,testicular index was counted,testicular histopathological changes were observed by HE staining,total sperm motility and total sperm viability were analyzed by comprehensive semen analysis system.The content of malondialdehyde (MDA), the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in testicular tissue, and the content of serum testosterone were detected by ELISA kit.Western blotting was used to detect the expression of oxidative stress and apoptosis-related proteins.The mRNA and protein expression of genes related to testosterone synthesis were detected by Real-time quantitative PCR and Western blotting,respectively.【Result】 Compared with control group,the testicular index of mice in medium and high dose polystyrene NPs groups was significantly or extremely significantly increased (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),the total motility and total viability of sperm and serum testosterone content of mice were significantly or extremely significantly decreased (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).The ELISA results showed that compared with control group,the MDA content in testis tissue of mice in polystyrene NPs treated groups was extremely significantly increased (P＜0.01),and the activities of SOD，CAT and GSH-Px were significantly decreased or extremely significantly decreased (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Western blotting results showed that compared with control group,the expression of nuclear factor E2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) protein in testicular tissue of mice in medium and high dose polystyrene NPs groups was extremely significantly increased (P＜0.01),and the expression of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD-3β) protein was extremely significantly decreased (P＜0.01).The expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) protein in testicular tissue of mice in polystyrene NPs treated groups was extremely significantly decreased (P＜0.01).The expression of aspartic cysteine-specific protease 9 (Caspase9),Caspase3,Bcl2-associated X protein (Bax)/B lymphoblastoma-2 (Bcl-2) protein in testicular tissue of mice in high dose polystyrene NPs group were extremely significantly increased (P＜0.01)，and the expression of cholesterol side chain lyase (CYP11A) protein was significantly decreased (P＜0.05).Real-time quantitative PCR results showed that compared with control group, the expression of HSD-17β,cytochrome P450 cholesterol side chain lyase (P450 scc) and steroid-hormone acute regulatory protein (StAR) genes in testicular tissue of mice in polystyrene NPs treated groups were significantly or extremely significantly decreased (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).The expression of HSD-3β and P450c17 genes in testicular tissue of mice in medium and high dose polystyrene NPs groups were extremely significantly or significantly decreased (P＜0.01 or P＜0.05). 【Conclusion】 Polystyrene NPs could induce oxidative stress in testicular tissue of mice,which led to cytogenesis,and eventually led to testicular injury and testosterone synthesis disorder.

Key words: polystyrene; nanoplastics (NPs); oxidative stress; apoptosis; testosterone synthesis

CLC Number:

S859.8

MIAO Xinyuan, XU Qingyu, XIA Sugan, LIN Tianjin, CAI Guodong, ZOU Hui, GU Jianhong, YUAN Yan, LIU Zongping, BIAN Jianchun. Mechanism of Action of Testosterone Synthesis Disorder in Male Mice Induced by Polystyrene Nanoplastics[J]. China Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, 2025, 52(4): 1488-1498.

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Mechanism of Action of Testosterone Synthesis Disorder in Male Mice Induced by Polystyrene Nanoplastics

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