Fig. 5.

Quantification of mRNA levels of genes associated with cholesterol metabolism in Leydig cells. Leydig cells were isolated and purified from vehicle (Veh)- or 2,4-D-treated Sv/129 wild-type (WT) or Ppara-null (KO) mice and were subjected to qPCR analysis. a The mRNA levels of genes encoding scavenger receptor BI (Scarb1) and low-density-lipoprotein receptor (Ldlr). b The mRNA levels of genes encoding HMG-CoA synthase 1 (Hmgcs1) and reductase (Hmgcr), involved in de novo cholesterol synthesis. c The mRNA levels of genes encoding sterol-responsive element-binding protein 2 (Srebf2). The mRNA levels of these mRNAs were normalized to glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (Gapdh) mRNA and expressed as mean ± SEM (n = 3). Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA test with Bonferroni’s correction. *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01; NS not significant between the 2,4-D-treated and Veh-treated mice in the same genotype