Objective To explore the mechanisms of reproductive toxicity induced by di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate(DEHP), as well as the protective effects of vitamin C and vitamin E.
Methods Four-week-old Wistar rats were divided into six groups randomly(n=10): control(corn oil), low, medium, and high dose 750, 1 500, and 3 000 mg/(kg·d) DEHP, vitamin C(3 000 mg/kg DEHP+1% vitamin C), and vitamin E(3 000 mg/kg DEHP+1% vitamin E) groups. DEHP exposure by lavage were administered to the rats, while vitamin C and vitamin E were exposed through drinking water freely. After six weeks, the rats were sacrificed and testicular tissues were collected to calculate organ coefficient and determine lipid peroxidation activity. The morphology change was observed by HE staining, and follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH), testosterone(T), and luteinizing hormone(LH) levels in testicular were measured by ELISA.
Results The testicular organ coefficient was decreased in the high dose group(P<0.01). Varying degrees of testicular damage were observed in the medium and high dose groups, showing seminiferous tubule atrophy, vacuoles within lumen samples, decreased germ cells, and clustered Leydig cells. Lipid peroxide and malondialdehyde were decreased in the high dose group compared with the control group(P<0.05); while total superoxide dismutase decreased in all DEHP groups(P<0.05). LH, FSH, and T were higher in the high dose group than those in the control group(P<0.05). Vitamin C and vitamin E improved the morphological damage induced by DEHP, and vitamin E protected testicular tissues from lipid peroxidation.
Conclusion DEHP could induce oxidative damage in testicular tissues, and vitamin C and vitamin E might protect testicular from DEHP.
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