Diethylstilbestrol regulates mouse gubernaculum testis cell proliferation via PLC‐Ca2+‐CREB pathway

Recent evidence suggested a positive correlation between environmental estrogens (EEs) and high incidence of abnormalities in male urogenital system, but the mechanism remains unclear. Diethylstilbestrol (DES) is a nonsteroidal synthetic estrogen that disrupts the morphology and proliferation of gubernaculum testis cells, but the underlying mechanism is unclear. In this study, mouse gubernaculum testis cells were pretreated with phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor U‐73122 and then treated with DES. The results demonstrated that U‐73122 impaired DES‐evoked intracellular Ca2+ mobilization in gubernaculum testis cells and inhibited DES‐induced proliferation of gubernaculum testis cells. Mechanistically, we found that U‐73122 inhibited DES‐induced activation of cAMP‐response element binding protein (CREB) in gubernaculum testis cells. In conclusion, these data suggest that the effects of DES on mouse gubernaculum testis cells are mediated by PLC‐Ca²⁺‐CREB pathway.

Significance of the study

Environmental estrogens remain a serious threat to male reproductive health, and it is important to understand the mechanism by which EEs affect the male productive system. Here we explore potential mechanisms how the proliferation and contractility of gubernaculum testis cells are regulated by diethylstilbestrol. Our findings provide the first evidence that PLC‐Ca²⁺‐CREB signalling pathway mediates the nongenomic effects of diethylstilbestrol on gubernaculum testis cells. These findings provide new insight into the role of diethylstilbestrol in the aetiology of male reproductive dysfunction and will help develop better approaches for the prevention and therapy of male reproductive malformation.