Genetic variants (Lhcgr^W495X/+) and environmental toxicants (DEHP) synergistically induce DSD by interfering with steroidogenic gene expression.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Emerging evidence suggests that genetic variants and environmental toxicants may synergistically contribute to DSD. To test this hypothesis, we employed Lhcgr^W495X/+ (luteinizing hormone/chorionic gonadotropin receptor) male mice subjected to prenatal Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) exposure, a model designed to investigate steroidogenic gene expression in gene-environment interactions.

Methods

Pregnant wild-type (WT) dams (mated with Lhcgr^W495X/+ heterozygote (HET) received varying levels of DEHP: no exposure, low-dose (100 mg/kg/d) DEHP, and high-dose (1000 mg/kg/d) DEHP during gestation, which led to prenatal exposure in male offspring. Male offspring were divided into HET (Lhcgr^W495X/+) and WT groups based on genotype in thr

SUBMITTER: Qigen X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12465185 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature