Evaluation of di-n-butyl phthalate reproductive toxicity in pregnant rats and their offspring and assessment of vitamin E administration in reducing toxicity

Abstract

Phthalates are environmental contaminants mostly used as plasticizers and additives in different products. Having endocrine-disrupting properties, phthalates are known as potential reproductive toxicants. The present study was conducted to evaluate the reproductive toxicity of di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) in pregnant rats and their offspring and also to assess the ability of vitamin E in the elimination or reducing reproductive toxicity of DBP. Sixty-six pregnant Wistar rats were exposed to 100, 500 or 1,000 mg kg^-1 per day DBP or 500 mg kg^-1 per day DBP along with 100 mg kg^-1 per day vitamin E during gestation. After delivery, they were divided into two groups. In one group gavage was finished after litter while in the other DBP administration was continued till weaning. The results showed that DBP affected many aspects of reproductive performance in pregnant rats and their offspring. It could be suggested that vitamin E could ameliorate the adverse effects of DBP, especially in male pups.

Keywords: Di-n-butyl phthalate; Pregnancy; Reproductive toxicology; Vitamin E.

Fig. 1

Effects of a dose range of DBP or DBP along with vitamin E on the age at puberty in F₁ male and female rats. Vit E, vitamin E group; NL 100, Non-lactation treatment of 100 mg kg^-1 DBP; L 100, Lactation treatment of 100 mg kg^-1 DBP; NL 500, Non-lactation treatment of 500 mg kg^-1 DBP; L 500, Lactation treatment of 500 mg kg^-1 DBP; NL 1,000, Non-lactation treatment of 1,000 mg kg^-1 DBP; L 1,000, Lactation treatment of 1,000 mg kg^-1 DBP; NL(P+E), Non-lactation treatment of 500 mg kg^-1 DBP +100 mg kg^-1 vitamin E; L(P+E), Lactation treatment of 500 mg kg^-1 DBP +100 mg kg^-1 vitamin E. Each column and vertical bar represent the mean ± SD

Fig. 2

Effects of a dose range of DBP or DBP along with vitamin E on relative testis weight. Vit E, vitamin E group; NL 100, Non-lactation treatment of 100 mg kg^-1 DBP; L 100, Lactation treatment of 100 mg kg^-1 DBP; NL 500, Non-lactation treatment of 500 mg kg^-1 DBP; L 500, Lactation treatment of 500 mg kg^-1 DBP; NL 1,000, Non-lactation treatment of 1,000 mg kg^-1 DBP; L 1,000, Lactation treatment of 1,000 mg kg^-1 DBP; NL(P+E), Non-lactation treatment of 500 mg kg^-1 DBP +100 mg kg^-1 vitamin E; L(P+E), Lactation treatment of 500 mg kg^-1 DBP +100 mg kg^-1 vitamin E. Each column and vertical bar represent the mean ± SD