Effects of maternal nonylphenol exposure on the proliferation of glial cells in the brain of male offspring mice

Glial cells play a significant role in maintaining brain homeostasis and normal brain development, and their functions can be impaired by exposure to endocrine disruptors. 4-n-Nonylphenol (NP), a representative endocrine disruptor, is widely used in personal care products and industrial materials. NP accumulates in various organs, including the brain, of living organisms and adversely influences brain health. However, studies on the effects of NP on glial cells are limited. This study aims to investigate the effects of NP on glial cells using primary mixed glial cells and offspring mice exposed to NP during gestation and lactation. In vitro experiments revealed that NP exposure stimulated the astrocytes and microglia proliferation but not oligodendrocytes. NP exposure activated microglia and reduced myelin protein expression in oligodendrocytes. Moreover, maternal NP exposure increased the numbers of microglia and oligodendrocytes in the cerebral cortex of adult offspring. NP exposure caused anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors in adult mice. Collectively, these findings suggest that maternal NP exposure negatively affects the brain development in adult offspring mice.