Effects of gestational exposure to di-n-butyl phthalate and mineral oil on testis development of the Mongolian gerbil

Author(s)

Christante, C. M. ^[1] ; Pinto-Fochi, M. E. ^[2] ; Negrin, A. C. ^[1] ; Taboga, S. R. ^{[1, 2]} ; Goes, R. M. ^{[1, 2]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Campinas, Inst Biol, Dept Struct & Funct Biol, 13083-970 Bertrand Russel Ave, BR-6109 Campinas, SP - Brazil

^[2] Sao Paulo State Univ, Inst Biosci Letters & Exact Sci, Dept Biol, 15054-000, 2265 Cristovao Colombo St, Sao Jose Do Rio Preto, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: REPRODUCTION FERTILITY AND DEVELOPMENT; v. 30, n. 12, p. 1604-1615, OCT 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Phthalate esters are endocrine disrupters that can affect the development of the testis in a species-specific manner. However, their interference in the male gonads of the Mongolian gerbil is unknown. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether gestational exposure to di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) interferes with the development of the gerbil testis during the first six weeks of life. Males were evaluated at 1, 7,14, 28, 35 and 42 days of age in an untreated (control) group or groups exposed from 8 to 23 days gestation to DBP (100 mg kg(-1) day(-1) in mineral oil) or vehicle by maternal gavage. DBP exposure impaired cell proliferation within the seminiferous cords at birth, but increased proliferation at the end of the first week, when higher testosterone concentrations were observed. The vehicle (mineral oil) reduced the total number of gonocytes and attenuated the decrease in testosterone concentrations at 7 days. The vehicle also altered gonocyte relocation at 14 days and increased oestrogen concentrations at 28 days by approximately 112%. In summary, both DBP and oil interfered in gonadal development and testosterone plasma concentrations in the first week of postnatal life. However, the changes observed at the beginning of puberty were not seen after exposure to DBP, indicating a more harmful effect of mineral oil in this period. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/19591-9 - Experimental studies of the di-n-butyl phthalate and mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate effect on testicular development in rodents
• Grantee: Caroline Maria Christante
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate