Graduate Student Sungshin University Seongbuk-Gu, Republic of Korea
Abstract Authors: Effects of Chronic Low-Dose DEHP on the Expression of Steroidogenic Enzymes in Uterus
Ju-Hee Lim, Yong-Pil Cheon*
Center for Development and Progress Research, Division of Developmental Biology and Physiology, Department of Biotechnology, Institute for Basic Sciences, Sungshin University, Seoul 02844, Korea
Abstract Text: Endocrine disruptors work as disruptor of pregnancy. It has been suggested that a chronic exposing of lower than permitted dosage could give effect on pregnancy as in high dose EDC exposing. Endocrine disruptor, Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) alters the histological characteristics of the uterus at daily exposure doses. In addition to systemic sex steroid hormones, local steroidogenesis is suggested in pregnant uterus. However, the effects of DEHP on local steroidogenesis and pregnancy are not yet fully understood. In this study, the OECD Guideline for the Testing of Chemicals – Test No. 443 was employed. Using real-time PCR analysis and Western blot, we identified the expression profiles of steroidogenic enzymes in the pregnant uterus of mice exposed to different concentrations of DEHP and those not exposed. Additionally, we examined the expression of steroidogenic enzymes in normal pregnant uteri using single-cell RNA-sequencing. Our results suggest that steroid hormones synthetic enzymes are detected and metabolized locally in the uterus. DEHP alters the steroid expression profile of the implantation area. The results clearly explore steroidogenesis in the implanting uterine area and DEHP can modulate the steroidogenic pathway. This will help to identify the causes of disrupting effects of EDCs on implantation and pregnant maintenance.
Acknowledgement: This research was supported by grants from the National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF) funded by a Korea government (RS-2023-NR077285, (Old) NRF-2023R1A2C3007223)
