Mono-(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate Suppresses Aromatase Transcript Levels and Estradiol Production in Cultured Rat Granulosa Cells

The female reproductive toxicity of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and its active metabolite mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) is attributed to suppression of ovarian granulosa cell estradiol production. In these studies, several structurally related phthalates (0-200 microM) and Wy-14,643 (0-100 microM) were compared to MEHP for their effects on granulosa cell estradiol production and transcript levels of cytochrome P450 enzyme CYP 19, also known as aromatase (P450arom), the rate-limiting enzyme in the conversion of androgens to estrogens. Granulosa cells were obtained from 28-day-old Fisher 344 rats and were cultured for 48 h. Test chemical or DMSO was added at the time of culture, along with testosterone as a substrate for aromatase. 17beta-Estradiol production was measured by standard radioimmunoassay, mRNA was measured by fluorescent RT-PCR, and protein was measured by Western blot analysis. MEHP was unique among the phthalates in its ability to decrease estradiol production, while Wy-14,643 had effects similar to MEHP at 100 microM. MEHP and Wy-14,643 also significantly decreased aromatase mRNA levels. The decrease in mRNA was concentration dependent and was paralleled by a decrease in aromatase protein. MEHP did not alter levels of CYP 11A1, the cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc). Treatment with a cAMP analogue increased expression of P450scc in the presence of MEHP (100 to 200 microM) while the decrease in aromatase remained. Thus, these studies suggest that MEHP is distinct from several structurally related phthalates but similar to the peroxisome proliferator Wy-14,643 in its action on granulosa cell estradiol production. Moreover, the suppression of estradiol by MEHP is likely mediated through its action on aromatase transcript levels independent of cAMP-stimulated regulation.