title: Butylbenzyl phthalate induces spermatogenic cell apoptosis in prepubertal rats.
abstract: Butylbenzyl phthalate (BBP), a suspected endocrine disruptor, adversely affects male reproductive function. In this study, morphological alterations of prepubertal rat testes caused by single administration of BBP, were examined by light microscopy. Three-week-old male rats were given a single dose of 500 mg/kg BBP by oral gavage and sacrificed at 3, 12, and 24 h after administration. Histopathological examination revealed progressive detachment and sloughing of spermatogenic cells into the lumen, and a significant increase in the number of TUNEL-positive (apoptotic) spermatogenic cells in the treated groups, compared to the control. Semithin sections confirmed the apoptotic cells by their prominent basophilia, condensed chromatin, and shrunken cytoplasm, hallmarks of apoptotic cell death. Immunohistochemistry identified disruption of Sertoli cell vimentin and actin filaments in the treated groups. To elucidate the recovery effects of BBP, rats were treated in the same way and were sacrificed at D1-12h after administration. The apoptotic index returned to normal at D9. While, the testes revealed lower weight gain until D12. These results show for the first time that BBP induces collapse of vimentin filaments in Sertoli cells which may lead to disruption of Sertoli-spermatogenic cell physical interaction and induces spermatogenic cell apoptosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy & Histology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine & Animal Science, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur 1706, Bangladesh; Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Graduate School of Agricultural & Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan. Electronic address: mdshahalam2004@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Mohammad Shah
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Alam
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Graduate School of Agricultural & Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan.
authors.forename: Masamichi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kurohmaru
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D007382:Intermediate Filaments / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D010795:Phthalic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D051381:Rats; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development
chemical_list: D010795:Phthalic Acids; C027561:butylbenzyl phthalate
keywords: Butylbenzyl phthalate; Prepubertal stage; Sertoli cell vimentin filaments; Spermatogenic cell apoptosis; Sprague-Dawley rats