Acrylamide disrupts the steroidogenic pathway in Leydig cells: possible mechanism of action

Acrylamide-treated Leydig cells were tested for cytotoxicity, testosterone secretion, 3′,5′-cyclic adenosine monophosphate production, and gene and protein expression of steroidogenic genes and transcription factors. Reverse-transcriptional real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis revealed that acrylamide disrupts mRNA and protein expression of steroidogenic markers, including luteinizing hormone receptor, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme, 3β-hydroxy dehydrogenase, and 17β-hydroxy dehydrogenase. Further, transcription levels of the key regulator transcription factors, steroidogenic factor-1, GATA binding protein-4, and nerve growth factor IB, were evaluated. Acrylamide induced cytotoxicity and decreased testosterone and 3′,5′-cyclic adenosine monophosphate secretion by altering the rate-limiting steps in Leydig cell steroidogenesis.