Male rat exposure to low dose of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate during pre-pubertal, pubertal and post-pubertal periods: Impact on sperm count, gonad histology and testosterone secretion

Abstract Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is the most ubiquitous endocrine disruptor in the environment. The present study aimed to investigate the low dose effects of DEHP on the male reproductive system of rats exposed during the pre-pubertal, pubertal and post-pubertal periods. Male Wistar rats were daily gavaged by DEHP from postnatal day (PND) 21 to PND 120 with 0.5, 50 and 5000 μg/kg BW/d. A decrease in sperm count of 41%, 24% and 46% was observed at 0.5, 50 and 5000 μg/kg BW/d respectively. A decrease of Sertoli cells number was observed at 50 and 5000 μg/kg BW/d (22% and 42%, respectively). Non-monotonic dose–response was observed for testosterone levels with a significant increase at 50 μg/kg BW/d associated to a notable enhancement of Leydig cells number (35%). In conclusion, our results showed that postnatal exposure to low doses of DEHP affects sperm count, Sertoli and Leydig cells number and testosterone level.