Short-term effects of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate on testes, liver, kidneys and pancreas in mice.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the biochemical effect of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) on testes, liver, kidneys and pancreas on day 10 in the process of degeneration of the seminiferous epithelium.


METHODS
Diets containing 2% DEHP were given to male Crlj:CD1(ICR) mice for 10 days. The dose of DEHP was 0.90 +/- 0.52 mg/mouse/day. Their testes, livers, kidneys and pancreata were examined for detection of mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), nitrogen oxides (NOx) produced by peroxidation of nitric oxide (NO) with free radicals, and lipid peroxidation induced by the chain reaction of free radicals.


RESULTS
Histological observation and serum analysis showed the presence of severe spermatogenic disturbance, Leydig cell dysfunction, liver dysfunction and dehydration. Unexpectedly, the concentration of MEHP in the testes was extremely low compared with that in the liver. However, the concentration of the NOx in the testes was as high as the hepatic concentration. Furthermore, free radical-induced lipid peroxidation was histochemically detected in the testes but not in the liver.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that DEHP-induced aspermatogenesis is caused by the high sensitivity of the testicular tissues to MEHP rather than the specific accumulation or uptake of circulating MEHP into the testes.
Miura
Yumi
Y
Department of Anatomy, Tokyo Medical University, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8402, Japan.
Naito
Munekazu
M
Ablake
Maira
M
Terayama
Hayato
H
Yi
Shuang-Qin
SQ
Qu
Ning
N
Cheng
Lin-Xian
LX
Suna
Shigeru
S
Jitsunari
Fumihiko
F
Itoh
Masahiro
M
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D003300:Copper / Q000378:metabolism; D004051:Diethylhexyl Phthalate / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D009589:Nitrogen Oxides / Q000378:metabolism; D010179:Pancreas / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D015032:Zinc / Q000378:metabolism
D009589:Nitrogen Oxides; D013739:Testosterone; D003300:Copper; D004051:Diethylhexyl Phthalate; D007501:Iron; C016599:mono-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate; D015032:Zinc