Effects of diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) given neonatally on spermatogenesis of mice.

We previously demonstrated that the effects of diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) alter reproduction function on male mice. Immature male mice were treated daily with DEHP from postnatal day 7-21, 7-35, 7-49, in a dose-dependent manner. As results, both the quality and quantity of spermatozoa were decreased in 60-day-old mice. The results by RT-PCR analysis indicated that DDx3Y, Usp9Y, RBM, E1F1AY, EGF, FSHR and EGFR genes were down-regulated, and LHR, Cyp17a1 and Cyp19a1 were down-regulated in response to DEHP. These genes were selected based on their markedly increased or decreased expression levels. However, DEHP had no effect on the meiotic process and recombination levels in male mouse germ cells. Treatment with DEHP induced histopathological changes in the testes. Taken together, these results provide a new insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying the detrimental impacts of DEHP in humans and wildlife.