Mechanisms of testicular atrophy induced by di-n-butyl phthalate in rats. Part 3. Changes in the activity of some enzymes in the Sertoli and germ cells, and in the levels of metal ions.

A single oral dose of di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) to male rats caused a sloughing of the germ cells at 6 h, with more severe sloughing at 24 and 48 h. DBP is metabolized to mono-n-butyl phthalate (MBP), which is transported through the blood-tubular barrier into the seminiferous lumen. MBP is incorporated into the lumen at a maximum rate between 1 and 3 h after dosing with DBP. MBP caused decreases in the activities of succinate dehydrogenase in the Sertoli cells and sorbitol dehydrogenase in the germ cells, an increase in the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the germ cells and in the seminiferous lumen and a decrease in testicular iron levels.