Molecular mechanisms of DBDPE-induced spermatogenic disorder: A network toxicology, machine learning, and in vivo experimental validation - PubMed
5 hours ago
- #Network toxicology
- #Spermatogenesis disruption
- #DBDPE toxicity
- DBDPE is a new brominated flame retardant that is highly persistent and bioaccumulative, listed as a Substance of Very High Concern in 2025.
- Using network toxicology and machine learning, 33 overlapping genes were identified linking DBDPE to non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) with HIF-1 signaling and gap junction pathways implicated.
- Five core genes (PRKACG, WDR5, AURKC, PFKP, ASGR1) were prioritized, downregulated in NOA, and molecular docking confirmed stable binding with DBDPE.
- In vivo experiments showed DBDPE exposure disrupts testicular structure, reduces sperm concentration and motility, and lowers expression of the five core proteins.
- The study proposed an adverse outcome pathway framework to describe DBDPE-induced spermatogenic impairment and highlighted its reproductive toxicity.