Fig. 4

PS-MPs treatment downregulated the expression of steroidogenic enzymes and StAR in testes. Mice were given drinking water comprising PS-MPs of various sizes for 180 sustained days. A, B The expression of 3β-HSD, 17β-HSD, P450scc, P450c17, and StAR in testes was measured by western blotting. The expression levels were quantified with ImageJ (n = 3). Data are expressed as means ± SD. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01 vs. control. ^#P < 0.05, ^##P < 0.01 vs. 100 μg/L group. C, D The expression of StAR in mouse testicular tissues of the control group and 1000 μg/L group was tested by immunofluorescence staining. Testicular tissues were stained with StAR (red) and DAPI (blue), arrows: positive expression (scale bar = 50 µm). The expression levels of StAR were quantified with ImageJ (n = 3). Data are expressed as means ± SD. **P < 0.01 vs. control. ^#P < 0.05, ***P < 0.001 vs. control