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p,p'-DDE induces apoptosis and mRNA expression of apoptosis-associated genes in testes of pubertal rats

  1. Yu-Qin Shi1,2,*,
  2. Hao-Wen Li1,
  3. Yu-Ping Wang1,
  4. Chang-Jiang Liu1,
  5. Ke-Di Yang1,*

Article first published online: 7 MAR 2011

DOI: 10.1002/tox.20694

Issue

Environmental Toxicology

Environmental Toxicology

Volume 28, Issue 1, pages 31–41, January 2013

Additional Information

How to Cite

Shi, Y.-Q., Li, H.-W., Wang, Y.-P., Liu, C.-J. and Yang, K.-D. (2013), p,p'-DDE induces apoptosis and mRNA expression of apoptosis-associated genes in testes of pubertal rats. Environ. Toxicol., 28: 31–41. doi: 10.1002/tox.20694

Author Information

  1. 1

    MOE Key Lab of Environment and Health, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, People's Republic China

  2. 2

    Department of Preventive Medicine, Medical College of Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430065, People's Republic China

*MOE Key Lab of Environment and Health, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, People's Republic China

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 13 DEC 2012
  2. Article first published online: 7 MAR 2011
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 18 DEC 2010
  4. Manuscript Revised: 16 DEC 2010
  5. Manuscript Received: 3 SEP 2010

Funded by

  • National Natural Science Foundation of China. Grant Numbers: 30972436, 30671734

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Keywords:

  • p,p'-DDE;
  • Fas/FasL;
  • mitochondria pathway;
  • endoplasmic reticulum pathway;
  • testis;
  • apoptosis

Abstract

One,1-dichloro-2,2 bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethylene (p,p'-DDE), the major metabolite of 2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane (DDT), is a known persistent organic pollutant and male reproductive toxicant. It has antiandrogenic effect. However, the mechanism by which p,p'-DDE exposure causes male reproductive toxicity remains unknown. To elucidate the mechanism underpinning the testicular effects of p,p'-DDE, we sought to investigate apoptotic effects and mRNA expression of apoptosis-associated genes in the testis of pubertal rats, including Fas, FasL, calpain-1, cytochrome c, Bax, Bcl-w, Bak, and caspase-3, -8, -9, -12. Animals were administered with different doses of p,p'-DDE (0, 20, 60, 100 mg/kg body weight) every other day by intraperitoneal injection for 10 days. The results indicated that p,p'-DDE exposure at over 20 mg/kg body weight showed the induction of apoptotic cell death. p,p'-DDE could induce decrease in SOD and GSH-Px activity of serum in 60 mg/kg body weight group. Significant elevations in the mRNA levels of Fas, FasL, calpain-1, cytochrome c, Bax, Bak, and caspase-3, -8, -9, -12 were observed in testis of rat treated with p,p'-DDE. Taken together, these results lead us to speculate that in vivo exposure to p,p'-DDE might induce testicular apoptosis in pubertal rats through the involvement of Fas/FasL, mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum-mediated pathways. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 2013.

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