Mechanistic Insight into the Reproductive Toxicity of Trifloxystrobin in Male Sprague–Dawley Rats

Previous studies have demonstrated the reproductive toxicity of trifluorostrobin (TRI) in male organisms. However, the underlying mechanisms of TRI responsible for testicular damage and hormonal disruption remain elusive. This study elucidated the male reproductive toxicity of TRI at the molecular level under environmentally relevant concentrations and its associations with gut microbiota dysbiosis. The rats were administered TRI (1.5, 15, and 75 mg/kg of body weight/day) continuously via gavage for 90 days. Exposure to 15 mg/kg (below the no-observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of 30 mg/kg) and 75 mg/kg TRI damaged testicular tissue, reduced sperm count, and lowered serum hormone and total cholesterol levels. Transcriptomics analysis combined with molecular docking simulations and cell proliferation assays showed that exposure to TRI led to testicular damage by inhibiting the expression of cholesterol receptor genes, which, in turn, disrupted steroid hormone biosynthesis. Furthermore, exposure to TRI resulted in a marked decline in the relative abundance of the probiotic bacteria. Consistently, significant reductions in the relative abundance of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), retinoic acids, and steroid hormones in the gut were observed. Additionally, a significant correlation was observed between the relative abundance of Parabacteroides and serum testosterone levels, a vital biomarker for reproductive toxicity monitoring. These findings shed light on the mode of action of TRI-induced male reproductive toxicity and highlight the link between testicular injury and gut microbiota.