title: Long-term effects of maternal exposure to Di (2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate on sperm and testicular parameters in Wistar rats offspring.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Phthalate esters have been shown to cause reproductive toxicity in both developing and adult animals.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to assess long-term effects of maternal exposure to Di (2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate (DEHP) on reproductive ability of both neonatal and adult male offspring.
  
  
  METHODS
  60 female rats randomly divided in four equal groups; vehicle control and three treatment groups that received 10, 100 and 500 mg/kg/day DEHP via gavage during gestation and lactation. At different ages after birth, the volumes of testes were measured by Cavellieri method, testes weights recorded and epididymal sperm samples were assessed for number and gross morphology of spermatozoa. Following tissue processing, seminiferous tubules diameter and germinal epithelium height evaluated with morphometric techniques.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean testis weight decreased significantly (p<0.05) in 500 mg/kg/day dose group from 28 to 150 days after birth. Significant decreases were seen in total volumes of testis in 100 (p<0.05) and 500 (p<0.01) mg/kg/day doses groups until 150 days after birth. Seminiferous tubules diameter and germinal epithelium height decreased significantly in 100 (p<0.05) and 500 (p<0.01) mg/kg/day doses groups during postnatal development. Also, mean sperm density in 100 mg/kg/day (p<0.05) and 500 mg/kg/day (p<0.01) doses groups and percent of morphologically normal sperm in highest dose group (p<0.05) decreased significantly until 150 days after birth.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Present study showed that maternal exposure to Di (2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate during gestation and lactation caused to permanent and dose-related reductions of sperm and testicular parameters in rats offspring.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Shahid Chamran University of Ahwaz, Ahwaz, Iran.
authors.forename: Mehran
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dorostghoal
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Shahid Chamran University of Ahwaz, Ahwaz, Iran.
authors.forename: Ahmad Ali
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Moazedi
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Shahid Chamran University of Ahwaz, Ahwaz, Iran.
authors.forename: Adel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zardkaf
keywords: Di (2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate; Morphometry; Sperm; Stereology; Testis