Study of the effects of the DI-N-butyl phthalate on the adult albino rat epididymis

ABSTRACT

Phthalate esters are a large group of chemical agents used predominantly as plasticizers and solvents. Di-N-butyl phthalate [DBP,] ester is a commercially important plasticizer and ubiquitou5 environmental contaminant. These compounds are widely used in the daily life as in the production of food containers, packaging, toys, films, hand-bags, bottles printing inks and clothes. Many experimental studies were employed to clarify tile hazardous effects of tile DBP on the male genital tract. These studies were concerned in the effects of prenatal exposure to .DBP as well as during lactation, postnatal and adult life. A total number of 15 adult male albino rats, two months age were used in this work. These animals' were classified into three groups, control that received only olive oil and two experimental groups, first and second, which received 500 and 1000 mg/kg/day respectively of di-n-butyl phthalate dissolved in olive oil for successive 15 days. The specimens were collected, washed fixed in 2.5%cacodylate buffered glutraldihyde solution for one day and prepared for both semithin and ultrathin sectioning techniques. The results of the present work revealed obvious toxic effects of DBP on the duct us epididymis both on the level of light and electron microscopy. The first group showed severe fibrosis of the interductal connective tissue and the surrounding fibrous coat and mild to moderate degenerative changes of the epithelial wail. [The second group revealed severe destructive changes of the component cells of the duct wall in the form of multiple cytoplasmic vaculation, nuclear pykuosis and degenerated cytoplasmic organdies. These results approved a dose-dependent relation-ship of DBP toxicity on the adult rat epididymis and form a warning for humans about the potential hazardous toxic effects of it on their male reproductive tract