Delayed effects on plasma concentration of testosterone and testicular morphology by intramuscular low-dose di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate or oestradiol benzoate in the prepubertal boar.
The immediate and delayed effects of prepubertal exposure to di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) or oestradiol benzoate on the plasma concentrations of testosterone, oestradiol and LH, as well as testicular morphology were examined in prepubertal boars. In a split litter design experiment, prepubertal boars were intramuscularly exposed to DEHP, oestradiol or vehicle during five weeks, starting at six weeks of age. The dose of DEHP was 50mg/kg of bodyweight twice weekly, which is in the same range as recently used oral doses in rodents. Oestradiol-benzoate was administered at 0.25mg/kg of bodyweight twice weekly. One set of animals was examined immediately after the exposure, and the other set was examined at an age of 7.5 months. During the exposure period concentrations of LH in plasma were lower (p=0.02) in the oestradiol-treated animals than in the control group. In the group exposed to oestradiol, the relative to the body weight of the testicles tended to be lower (p=0.07) than control immediately after five weeks of exposure, and the relative to the body weight of the seminal vesicles tended to be lower (p=0.05) than control at 7.5 months of age. In the DEHP-exposed group an elevated (p=0.005) concentration of testosterone and increased (p=0.04) area of the Leydig cells in the testicles compared to the control group were seen at 7.5 months of age. These data suggest that DEHP early in life causes delayed effects on the reproductive system in the adult.
Ljungvall
Karl
K
Department of Clinical Sciences, Box 7039, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Ulls väg 12, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden. karl.ljungvall@kv.slu.se
Karlsson
Patrick
P
Hultén
Fredrik
F
Madej
Andrzej
A
Norrgren
Leif
L
Einarsson
Stig
S
Rodriguez-Martinez
Heriberto
H
Magnusson
Ulf
U
D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D004051:Diethylhexyl Phthalate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D012741:Sexual Maturation; D013552:Swine / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D013737:Testis / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000187:drug effects; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*; D013997:Time Factors
D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; C074283:estradiol 3-benzoate; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D004051:Diethylhexyl Phthalate