Résumé
The present study was undertaken to understand the reproductive toxic effect of DEP over three generations of male and female Wistar rats. Healthy male and female albino rats of Wistar strain weighing 75–100g were randomly assigned to two groups of six each. Group I (Control) male and female rats were fed on normal diet and water ad libitum. Group II (DEP) male and female rats were given DEP dissolved in corn oil mixed with the diet at 50 mg/kg of the diet/day. 100 days after the treatment, females were mated with males for 10 days. Exposure to DEP was continued throughout mating, gestation until termination at weaning, which was 150 days of total treatment period of parental generation. The F1 and F2 generation pups were then segregated on the basis of their sex, and six male and female pups of both generations were allowed to grow till they were 75–100g in weight. The treatment was then carried out similar to the parental generation but with reduced dose of 25 mg/kg of the diet/day for F1 generation, and 10 mg/kg of the diet/day for F2 generation. 100 days after the treatment, females were mated with males for 10 days. Exposure to DEP was continued throughout mating, gestation (21 days) until termination at weaning (21 days), which was 150 days of total treatment period of the F1 and F2 generation. After 150 days of treatment, the animals were sacrificed. A significant decline in relative body and testis weight was observed in DEP treated F1 and F2 generation male rats as compared to control rats of all three generations. On the other hand, a significant increase in relative ovary weights was observed in DEP treated parental, F1 and F2 generation female rats, while relative body weights of the female rats were significantly decreased in F1 and F2 generation treated rats. Significant decrease in litter size was observed over generations in the treated group as compared to controls. A significant increase in testicular LDH and glycogen levels were observed in DEP treated F2 generation male rats as compared to control rats. Significant increase in ovarian LDH, cholesterol and glycogen levels was observed in DEP treated F2 generation female rats as compared to control rats. It can be concluded from this study, that continuous exposure over three generations, inspite of dose reduction to DEP, leads to an enhanced reproductive toxic effect in latter generations.