Exposure to mono-n-butyl phthalate disrupts the development of preimplantation embryos

Abstract

Dibutyl phthalate (DBP), a widely used phthalate, is known to cause many serious diseases, especially in the reproductive system. However, little is known about the effects of its metabolite, mono-n-butyl phthalate (MBP), on preimplantation embryo development. In the present study, we found that treatment of embryos with 10⁻³ M MBP impaired developmental competency, whereas exposure to 10⁻⁴ M MBP delayed the progression of preimplantation embryos to the blastocyst stage. Furthermore, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in embryos were significantly increased following treatment with 10⁻³ M MBP. In addition, 10⁻³ M MBP increased apoptosis via the release of cytochrome c, whereas immunofluorescent analysis revealed that exposure of preimplantation embryos to MBP concentration-dependently (10⁻⁵, 10⁻⁴ and 10⁻³ M) decreased DNA methylation. Together, the results indicate a possible relationship between MBP exposure and developmental failure in preimplantation embryos.

Mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate disrupts neurulation and modifies the embryonic redox environment and gene expression

“…Previous studies have demonstrated that phthalates, including MEHP, are capable of inducing oxidizing conditions in the developing embryo, although sampling occurred at different developmental time points and were assessed in different model systems than employed here. Chu et al found increased ROS concentrations in early preimplantation embryos exposed to concentrations of MEHP that were similar to those used in this study [29] as well as to mono-butyl phthalate [62]. Increased ROS were also detected in phthalate-exposed zebrafish eleutherolarvae [63].…”

Regulatory and junctional proteins of the blood-testis barrier in human Sertoli cells are modified by monobutyl phthalate (MBP) and bisphenol A (BPA) exposure

“…Monobutyl Phthalate (MBP) has been highly used for being the active metabolite of Di-n-butyl phthalate (DPB), one of the most used EDs across the world (Chu et al, 2013;Frederiksen et al, 2011;Hu et al, 2013;Zhou et al, 2013). The levels of phthalates in household dust can reach as high as 400-700 mg/kg (Becker et al, 2004).…”

Human Erythrocytes Exposed to Phthalates and Their Metabolites Alter Antioxidant Enzyme Activity and Hemoglobin Oxidation

“…Phthalates metabolites also caused an increase in ROS level but starting from a concentration of 5 µg/mL ( Figure 2 ). In another study, MBP (DBP metabolite) at the level of 10 −3 M caused an increase of ROS level and impaired the developmental competency of preimplantation embryos [ 63 ]. In this study, a statistically significant increase in the hydroxyl radical level in RBCs treated with the parent phthalates at a concentration of 2.5 µg/mL was observed.…”