In vitro testicular toxicity of environmentally relevant endocrine-disrupting chemicals: 2D vs. 3D models of prepubertal Leydig TM3 cells
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2022 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Web | https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S138266892200062X?via%3Dihub |
| Doi | http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.etap.2022.103869 |
| Keywords | 3D in vitro models; Endocrine-disrupting chemicals; Leydig cells; Lipotoxicity; Reproductive toxicity; Spheroids |
| Description | The testis is a priority organ for developing alternative models to assess male reproductive health hazards of chemicals. This study characterized a 3D in vitro model of murine prepubertal Leydig TM3 cells with improved expression of steroidogenesis markers suitable for image-based screening of testicular toxicity. This 3D scaffold free spheroid model was applied to explore the impact of prototypical endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and environmental reprotoxicants (benzo[a]pyrene, 2-and 9-methylanthracenes, fluoranthene, triclosan, triclocarban, methoxychlor) on male reproductive health. The results were compared to the male reprotoxicity potential of EDCs assessed in a traditional monolayer (2D) culture. The testicular toxicity was dependent not only on the type of culture (2D vs. 3D models) but also on the duration of exposure. Benzo[a]pyrene and triclocarban were the most active compounds, eliciting cytotoxic effects in prepubertal Leydig cells at low micromolar concentrations, which might be a mechanism contributing to their male reprotoxicity. |
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