Mechanism of testicular atrophy induced by di-n-butyl phthalate in rats. Part 1.

Repeated oral doses of di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) to male rats caused a decrease in testicular fructose and glucose and a sloughing of the germ cells on the first day of treatment. On day 2, more severe sloughing was seen and was accompanied by decreases in testicular iron and zinc levels and increases in the level of inositol and cholesterols. The sloughing was followed by atrophy, accompanied by dissociation of the germ cells from the Sertoli cells and reduction of triglycerides, cholesterols and phospholipids containing choline and ethanolamine residues in the testis.