Phthalate esters affect maturation and function of primate testis tissue ectopically grafted in mice.

ABSTRACT: Di-n-Butyl (DBP) and Di-(2-EthylHexyl) (DEHP) phthalates can leach from daily-use products resulting in environmental exposure. In male rodents, phthalate exposure results in reproductive effects. To evaluate effects on the immature primate testis, testis fragments from 6-month-old rhesus macaques were grafted subcutaneously to immune-deficient mice, which were exposed to 0, 10, or 500?mg/kg of DBP or DEHP for 14 weeks or 28 weeks (DBP only). DBP exposure reduced the expression of key steroidogenic genes, indicating that Leydig cell function was compromised. Exposure to 500?mg/kg impaired tubule formation and germ cell differentiation and reduced numbers of spermatogonia. Exposure to 10?mg/kg did not affect development, but reduced Sertoli cell number and resulted in increased expression of inhibin B. Exposure to DEHP for 14 week also affected steroidogenic genes expression. Therefore, long-term exposure to phthalate esters affected development and function of the primate testis in a time and dosage dependent manner.

SUBMITTER: Rodriguez-Sosa JR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4277019 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature