Neonatal corticosterone administration increases p27-positive Sertoli cell number and decreases Sertoli cell number in the testes of mice at prepuberty

Cortisol and corticosterone (CORT) are steroid, antistress hormones and one of the glucocorticoids in humans and animals, respectively. This study evaluated the effects of CORT administration on the male reproductive system in early life stages. CORT was subcutaneously injected at 0.36 (low-), 3.6 (middle-), and 36 (high-dosed) mg/kg body weight from postnatal day (PND) 1 to 10 in ICR mice. We observed a dose-dependent increase in serum CORT levels on PND 10, and serum testosterone levels were significantly increased only in high-dosed-CORT mice. Triiodothyronine levels were significantly higher in the low-dosed mice but lower in the middle- and high-dosed mice. However, testicular weights did not change significantly among the mice. Sertoli cell numbers were significantly reduced in low- and middle-dosed mice, whereas p27-positive Sertoli cell numbers increased in low- and middle-dosed mice. On PND 16, significant increases in testicular and relative testicular weights were observed in all-dosed-CORT mice. On PND 70, a significant decrease in testicular weight, Sertoli cell number, and spermatozoa count was observed. These results revealed that increased serum CORT levels in early life stages could induce p27 expression in Sertoli cells and terminate Sertoli cell proliferation, leading to decreased Sertoli cell number in mouse testes.