Objective To assess the effects of mercury chloride (HgCl2) on steroid hormone biosynthesis in leydig cells isolated from SD rat testis.
Methods Leydig cells were exposed to various concentrations of HgCl2 (1& #215;10-8, 1& #215;10-7, 1& #215;10-6, and 1& #215;10-5 mol/L). Progesterone in the supernatant was measured. The levels of mRNA expression of StAR, P450scc, and 3β-HSD in leydig cells were determined by real-time fluorescence quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
Results The progesterone content secreted by Leydis cells was reduced after treated by various concentrations of HgCl2, and the progesterone contents in the 1& #215;10-7, 1& #215;10-6, and 1& #215;10-5 mol/L HgCl2 groups were significantly lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05). The mRNA relative expression levels of StAR, P450scc, and 3β-HSD in the leydig cells exposed to HgCl2 at the concentration of 1& #215;10-7, 1& #215;10-6, and 1& #215;10-5 mol/L were also statistically lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05).
Conclusion Mercury could affect steroid hormone biosynthesis of leydig cells.
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