Effect of 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin on Testosterone Production in Isolated Murine Testicular Cells

Abstract

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is an endocrine disruptor that is known to have widespread effects on the reproductive system. We examined the effects of TCDD on testosterone production of primary cultured murine testicular cells. The cells, derived from the testes of ICR mice at age 65 days, were exposed to 10^-2-10⁴ pM TCDD for 3, 24, or 48 hr and treated with human chorionic gonadotropin for 6 hr to induce production of testosterone. At these concentrations of TCDD, the viability of testicular cells was not affected. No significant time- or TCDD concentration-dependent effects were observed on the secretion of testosterone. The data suggest that TCDD does not have a direct influence on testosterone production in the ICR mouse.