Zearalenone perturbs the circadian clock and inhibits testosterone synthesis in mouse Leydig cells

Nov 5, 2020Journal of toxicology and environmental health. Part A

Zearalenone disrupts the body’s internal clock and reduces testosterone production in mouse testicular cells

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Abstract

Zearalenone (ZEA) significantly reduced serum testosterone levels in male mice after one week of exposure.

  • ZEA disrupted the transcription of core clock and steroidogenic genes in Leydig cells.
  • Protein levels of BMAL1, NR1D1, and StAR decreased in response to ZEA exposure.
  • ZEA suppressed testosterone secretion from Leydig cells.
  • In primary Leydig cells from genetically modified mice, ZEA altered circadian rhythms, resulting in diminished amplitude and phase shifts.
  • Reduced expression of core clock and steroidogenic genes was observed in the testes of mice exposed to ZEA.

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