| Summary: | 碩士 === 東吳大學 === 微生物學系 === 104 === Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) is one of the brominated flame retardants (BFRs), used in a variety of consumer products, including electrical equipment and household furniture. The consumption of TBBPA is rising due to its efficacy and in order to meet fire safety standards for products on the market. Previous study indicated that TBBPA might be accumulated in animal tissues via placenta, food, breast milk, and household dust. It has also been reported that TBBPA exhibits binding affinity to estrogen receptors in vitro, inhibit the growth of murine testis cells and activate the gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-1a and IL-6. However, it is unclear that TBBPA would directly affect the development and the growth of spermatogonia cells. In this study, the effect of TBBPA on the growth of GC-1 spg cells was analyzed and the results suggested that TBBPA inhibited the growth of GC-1 spg cells in a concentration dependent manner. Cell death, accompanying parameters including the decline of mitochondrial membrane potential, the accumulation of ROS, and the increased activity of caspase 3 and 9, was detected in GC-1 spg cells treated with TBBPA at 2x10-4 M. The loss of cell membrane asymmetry, as indicated by strong staining of Annexin V to phosphatidyl serine, which frequently serves as an early indication of programmed cell death was also noted in TBBPA-treated cells. The hormonal response of GC-1 spg cells was also impaired by the treatment of TBBPA since TBBPA decreased the mRNA level of estrogen receptor-beta and partially abolished the stimulatory effect of estrogen on the GC-1 spg cell proliferation. The treatment of TBBPA as found to induce the gene activation of IL-6 via NF-kappa B pathway with at least partial involvement of Toll-like receptor 4 in GC-1 spg cells. In conclusion, the results of this study suggested that TBBPA could produce adverse effects on male fertility thought interfering with the physiology of sperm cells directly.
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