Sertoli cells proliferate in adult rats with prenatal exposure to 3,3′,4,4′,5-pentachlorobiphenyl

摘要

Sertoli cells play a critical role in spermatogenesis, and in adults, they are terminally differentiated with loss of proliferative activity. This study revealed Sertoli cell proliferation in 17-week-old Sprague–Dawley rats whose dams had been intragastrically administered 250 ng of 3,3′,4,4′,5-pentachlorobiphenyl/kg on days 13–19 postconception. Immunohistochemical evidence of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression and electron microscope observation of mitotic figures confirmed the proliferation. Because the serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone concentrations were similar to those of vehicle-treated rats, a direct endocrine cause for the observed effects was unlikely.