Effect of PCBs on androgen production by suspension of adult rat Leydig cells in vitro.

The effects of PCBs (mixture of 2, 3, 4, 5-tetra; 2, 2', 4, 5, 5'-penta; 2, 2', 3, 3', 6, 6'-hexa and 2, 2', 3, 3', 4, 4', 5, 5'-octa congeners) on androgen production were investigated by suspension of Leydig cells from adult rat testis. hCG-stimulated androgen production was significantly inhibited by PCBs while progesterone level was not affected. Progesterone supported testosterone production was also decreased by PCBs, while conversion of androstenedione to testosterone was unchanged. These results suggest that the activity of microsomal enzyme C21 side-chain cleavage P450 was decreased by PCB treatment of Leydig cells in vitro.