Environmental light deprivation disrupts Leydig cell maturation and male reproductive development in rats.

ABSTRACT: This study examined the effect of continuous dark exposure (DD) on male reproductive maturation in a rat model. Male rats were reared without light from postnatal day (pnd) 21 and analyzed at pnd 35 (juvenile), 42 (peripubertal), and 90 (adult), periods related to key stages of Leydig cell development. DD disrupted circadian locomotor activity and reduced overall physical activity. Early reductions in seminal vesicle and dorsal prostate weights suggested delayed androgen-dependent development. DD exposure significantly lowered circulating androgens and reduced the testosterone-to-corticosterone (T/C) ratio. Circadian profiling revealed flattened rhythms of testosterone, corticosterone, and melatonin, as well as misaligned activity patterns in adulthood, indicating impaired coordination bet

SUBMITTER: Travicic DZ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12552470 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature