Korean J Androl.  2005 Aug;23(2):80-87.

Effects of Tributyltin Acetate on the Testicular Expression of Steroidogenic Enzyme Genes in Immature Mouse Testes

• Kim HS
• Kim SK
• Han J
• Lee CJ
• Lee JS
• Yoon YD

Abstract

PURPOSE
The present study was performed to evaluate the effects of tributyltin acetate(TBTA) on mouse testes. The effects of TBTA on mammalian reproduction are not well known.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Three-week-old male mice(ICR strain) were orally administered TBTA at doses of 0 (control vehicle, CV), 25(T25), 50(T50), and 100 mg/kg(T100). Serum and intratesticular concentrations of testosterone and estradiol were determined by conventional radioimmunoassays. RT-PCR analysis was also performed.
RESULTS
Transcriptional activity of 3-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3beta-HSD), 17-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase(17 beta-HSD) and cytochrome P450 17alpha-hydroxylase/C17,20 lyase(P450 (17 alpha)) were decreased by treatment. whereas mRNA levels of P450 aromatase were unaffected. In addition, TBTA significantly decreased serum testosterone levels in T100, while estradiol levels were not affected significantly.
CONCLUSIONS
Administration of TBTA decreases testosterone level in testes, and this effect might be due to the alteration of mRNA levels of steroidogenic enzymes. Taken together, these findings suggest that TBTA, impairs testicular functions in a dose-dependent manner. The present results can be used as basic data in the study of TBTA action on gonads.

Keyword

Tributyltin acetate; Testosterone; Testis

MeSH Terms

Animals
Aromatase
Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System
Estradiol
Gonads
Humans
Male
Mice*
Oxidoreductases
Radioimmunoassay
Reproduction
RNA, Messenger
Testis*
Testosterone
Aromatase
Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System
Estradiol
Oxidoreductases
RNA, Messenger
Testosterone