Bisphenol B stimulates Leydig cell proliferation but inhibits maturation in late pubertal rats

Bisphenol B (BPB) has been used as a substitute for bisphenol A (BPA) in plastic materials. Whether BPB disrupts the male reproductive system remains unknown. Here, we report the effect of BPB on Leydig cell maturation in late puberty. Male Sprague-Dawley (35 days old) rats were gavaged with BPB at 0, 10, 100, and 200 mg/kg/day for 21 days. BPB significantly reduced body and epididymis weight at 200 mg/kg. BPB markedly decreased serum testosterone levels at 100 and 200 mg/kg and serum luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone levels at 200 mg/kg. BPB significantly increased Leydig cell number at 100 and 200 mg/kg, while down-regulating the expression of Leydig cell genes (Cyp11a1 and Hsd3b1) at ≥100 mg/kg and up-regulating the expression of Sertoli cell genes (Pdgfra, Fshr, Sox9) and cell cycle regulators (Pcna, Ccnb1, Cdk2, and Cdk4) at 10–200 mg/kg. BPB markedly increased the phosphorylation of AKT1, AKT2, and ERK1/2 at 200 mg/kg. BPB increased the proliferation of rat immature Leydig cells via promoting the S/M2 phase shift at 100 and 1000 nM after 24-h culture in vitro. In conclusion, BPB disrupts Leydig cell maturation in late puberty by increasing Leydig cell number while inhibiting its maturation.