Di‐(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate induces severe aspermatogenesis in mice, however, subsequent antioxidant vitamins supplementation accelerates regeneration of the seminiferous epithelium

Abstract

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), now regarded as an endocrine disruptor, can experimentally induce spermatogenic disturbance in laboratory animals. Our previous study demonstrated that antioxidant vitamins (vitamins C and E) supplementation during DEHP-treatment significantly protected the rat seminiferous epithelium from DEHP-gonadotoxicity. In the present study, we gave these antioxidant vitamins to mice already having fully developed aspermatogenesis because of DEHP to determine whether or not the vitamins can cure the injured seminiferous epithelium. CD-1 male mice were fed on a DEHP-containing diet for 15 days and then fed on the DEHP-free normal diet with or without supplementation of vitamins C and E in drinking water for another 50 days. The results showed that severe aspermatogenesis was induced by the DEHP-treatment but that the damaged seminiferous epithelium spontaneously recovered whether the vitamins were provided or not. This indicates that the DEHP-induced aspermatogenesis was reversible. However, the supplementation of antioxidant vitamins significantly accelerated regeneration of the injured seminiferous epithelium, suggesting that the vitamins have a therapeutic effect on DEHP-induced aspermatogenesis.

Expression Pattern of Sulfated Glycoprotein-2 (SGP-2) mRNA in Rat Testes Exposed to Endocrine Disruptors

“…This finding is consistent with previous reports that perinatal exposure of male rats to DEHP produces adverse effects in androgenresponsive tissues [32]. Specifically, 2,000 mg/kg/ day DEHP has been previously shown to cause testicular atrophy [24], damage to the seminiferous epithelium [33] and reduced epididymal sperm density and motility [34] in rats.…”

Short-term effects of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate on testes, liver, kidneys and pancreas in mice

“…However, so far there has been no report on nitrogen oxides (NOx) in DEHP-treated animals. Our previous study showed that feeding mice with diets containing 2% DEHP induced focal degeneration of the seminiferous epithelium from day 5 and depletion of almost all germ cells by day 15 [7]. The aim of the present study is to compare the NOx generation, the MEHP distribution and lipid peroxidation in the testis with those in the liver, kidney and pancreas in 2% DEHP-treated mice.…”

Exposure to phthalates: Reproductive outcome and children health. A review of epidemiological studies

“…Animal studies have showed that exposure to phthalates results in profound and irreversible changes in the development of reproductive tract [4,31] especially in males, raising the possibility that phthalate exposures could be the leading cause of the reproductive disorders in humans [32,33]. Many adverse effects on animal fertility and reproduction have been documented for phthalates following exposure before puberty.…”