Endocrine Abstracts

Nonylphenol (NP), a member of alkylphenol family, has been widely used in both industry and household. NP is classified as an endocrine-disrupting chemical and is known to act as an agonist of the GPER (GPR30). The aim of this study was to address the two-generational effects of para-nonylphenol (NP) on the body weights, reproductive organ weights and histopathologies of ICR mice. We also test the potential reproductive toxicity of octylglucuronide (OG), a substitute candidate for NP. The testing drugs were administered as drinking water (50 and 500 ug/l) throughout the pre-mating period of P0 animals and lactation of F2 animals. Significant decreases were found in the weights of testis, prostate and seminal vesicle in the F1 NP500 group, in the weights of testis and epididymis in F2 NP50 and NP500 groups. There was no weight change in the OG-treated groups. In female, significant decreases in the weights of ovary and uterus in F1 NP50 group, uterus of F1 NP500 group, and F2 NP500 group were found. The weights of ovary in F1 OG50 and OG500 were also significantly decreased. Histopathological studies revealed that the numbers of Leydig cells were reduced in the testes of F1 and F2 NP50 groups. There were no changes in the Leydig cell numbers of OG groups. In F1 NP500 mice, the increased numbers of primary and secondary follicles and decreased number of corpora lutea were observed. There was no change in OG-treated group gonad. Finally, vaginal opening was delayed in F1 NP50 and NP500, and F2 NP50 animals. Present study demonstrated that the potential reproductive toxicity in animals long-term exposed to low dose NP (approximately 15–150 ng of daily intake). Our study also show that OG seems to be a promising alternative to NP, and further studies are warranted. This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea Grant funded by the Korean Government (NRF-2016904200).