Effects of phenolic compounds on 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in human and rat placenta: Screening, mode of action, and docking analysis.

Human 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type I (HSD3B1) and rat type IV (HSD3B4) in placentas catalyze the conversion of pregnenolone to progesterone, which plays a key role in maintaining pregnancy. Many phenolic compounds potentially inhibit HSD3B in placentas as endocrine disruptors. In this study, the effects of 16 phenolic compounds on the activity of human HSD3B1 and rat HSD3B4 were determined and the structure-activity relationship was compared.

Tetramethyl bisphenol A stimulates proliferation but inhibits fetal Leydig cell function in male rats by targeting estrogen receptor α after in utero exposure.

Tetramethyl bisphenol A (TMBPA) is a widely used flame retardant. TMBPA has been a toxic to Leydig cells in puberty, but it remains unclear whether TMBPA has a similar inhibitor effect on fetal Leydig cells (FLCs). This study reported morphological and functional alterations of FLCs in the testes of male offspring at birth after in utero exposure to TMBPA.

Fluornen-9-bisphenol increases Leydig cell proliferation but inhibits maturation in pubertal male rats via interacting with androgen receptor as an antagonist and estrogen receptor α as an agonist.

Fluornen-9-bisphenol (BPFL) is used as one of the alternatives for bisphenol A. However, whether BPFL has deleterious effects to the male reproductive system and the underlying mechanism remain unknown. Here, we report the effects of BPFL on Leydig cell development in male rats in puberty.