Maternal Exposure to Phenanthrene Induces Testicular Apoptosis and Sertoli Cell Dysfunction in F1 Adult Male Mice: A Histological and Molecular Study

Maternal Exposure to Phenanthrene Induces Testicular Apoptosis and Sertoli Cell Dysfunction in F1 Adult Male Mice: A Histological and Molecular Study Publisher

Afshar A¹ ; Nazarian H¹ ; Fadaefathabadi F¹ ; Aghajanpour F¹ ; Soltani R¹ ; Abdollahifar MA¹ ; Hassanzadeh G² ; Nourozian M¹

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1. Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2. Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Source: Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine Published:2025

Abstract

Objective: Phenanthrene, a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, is found in abundance in environmental pollutants, food, and drinking water. This substance can accumulate in body tissues and exert harmful effects. Moreover, phenanthrene can cross the placental barrier, potentially impacting fetal development. We aimed to explore the impacts of maternal exposure to phenanthrene on testicular tissue and Sertoli cell function in F1 mice. Methods: Female rats with vaginal plugs were randomly assigned to one of three groups: control, sham, or phenanthrene. The control group received no intervention during pregnancy. In the sham and phenanthrene groups, corn oil and a phenanthrene solution, respectively, were administered via gavage once every 2 days. Offspring were separated by sex 21 days after birth. At 56 days postnatal, male F1 offspring were euthanized, and their testes were harvested for histological and molecular analyses. Results: Phenanthrene exposure was associated with a lower testicular weight and volume, a smaller diameter of the seminiferous tubules, and a relative thinning of the germinal epithelium. These changes were associated with increased cellular apoptosis, as shown by the upregulation of caspase 3 expression. Additionally, we observed an increase in vacuolization and residual bodies within the tissue. Conversely, the number of Sertoli cells and expression levels of Sox9, as well as the Ocln and Itgb1 genes, were found to be lowered. Conclusion: Maternal exposure to phenanthrene impacts both germ cells and Sertoli cells, disrupting their function and leading to fertility disorders in male F1 offspring mice. © 2025 THE KOREAN SOCIETY FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE

2. Prenatal Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Effects on Neonatal Anthropometric Indices and Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone in a Middle Eastern Population, Chemosphere (2022)

Experts (# of related papers)

Gholamreza Hassanzadeh (1)

Style	Citing Format
MLA	Afshar A, et al.. "Maternal Exposure to Phenanthrene Induces Testicular Apoptosis and Sertoli Cell Dysfunction in F1 Adult Male Mice: A Histological and Molecular Study." Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine, vol. 52, no. 1, 2025, pp. 87-97.
APA	Afshar A, Nazarian H, Fadaefathabadi F, Aghajanpour F, Soltani R, Abdollahifar MA, Hassanzadeh G, Nourozian M (2025). Maternal Exposure to Phenanthrene Induces Testicular Apoptosis and Sertoli Cell Dysfunction in F1 Adult Male Mice: A Histological and Molecular Study. Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine, 52(1), 87-97.
Chicago	Afshar A, Nazarian H, Fadaefathabadi F, Aghajanpour F, Soltani R, Abdollahifar MA, Hassanzadeh G, Nourozian M. "Maternal Exposure to Phenanthrene Induces Testicular Apoptosis and Sertoli Cell Dysfunction in F1 Adult Male Mice: A Histological and Molecular Study." Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine 52, no. 1 (2025): 87-97.
Harvard	Afshar A et al. (2025) 'Maternal Exposure to Phenanthrene Induces Testicular Apoptosis and Sertoli Cell Dysfunction in F1 Adult Male Mice: A Histological and Molecular Study', Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine, 52(1), pp. 87-97.
Vancouver	Afshar A, Nazarian H, Fadaefathabadi F, Aghajanpour F, Soltani R, Abdollahifar MA, et al.. Maternal Exposure to Phenanthrene Induces Testicular Apoptosis and Sertoli Cell Dysfunction in F1 Adult Male Mice: A Histological and Molecular Study. Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine. 2025;52(1):87-97.
BibTex	@article{ author = {Afshar A and Nazarian H and Fadaefathabadi F and Aghajanpour F and Soltani R and Abdollahifar MA and Hassanzadeh G and Nourozian M}, title = {Maternal Exposure to Phenanthrene Induces Testicular Apoptosis and Sertoli Cell Dysfunction in F1 Adult Male Mice: A Histological and Molecular Study}, journal = {Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine}, volume = {52}, number = {1}, pages = {87-97}, year = {2025} }
RIS	TY - JOUR AU - Afshar A AU - Nazarian H AU - Fadaefathabadi F AU - Aghajanpour F AU - Soltani R AU - Abdollahifar MA AU - Hassanzadeh G AU - Nourozian M TI - Maternal Exposure to Phenanthrene Induces Testicular Apoptosis and Sertoli Cell Dysfunction in F1 Adult Male Mice: A Histological and Molecular Study JO - Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine VL - 52 IS - 1 SP - 87 EP - 97 PY - 2025 ER -

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