ABSTRACT
Leydig cells reside in the interstitium of the testis and make testosterone and insulin-like 3 for reproductive health. Leydig cells contain a series of androgen biosynthetic and metabolizing enzymes. The luteinizing hormone/cAMP/PKA signaling is critical for the stimulation of steroidogenesis. Environmental toxicants on the Leydig cell function act via disrupting its development, blocking LH/cAMP/PKA signaling, downregulating the expressions of steroidogenesis-related proteins and insulin-like 3 or directly inhibiting one or more enzyme activities for testosterone biosynthesis and metabolic activation. These environmental toxicants include industrial materials and natural resources. This chapter reviews these environmental toxicants targeting Leydig cells.
