Effects of diisopentyl phthalate exposure during gestation and lactation on hormone-dependent behaviours and hormone receptor expression in rats.

Phthalates are found in different plastic materials, such as packaging, toys and medical devices. Some of these compounds are endocrine disruptors, comprising substances that are able to induce multiple hormonal disturbances and downstream developmental effects, including the disruption of androgen-dependent differentiation of the male reproductive tract and changes in pathways that regulate hormone-dependent behaviours. In a previous study, metabolites of diisopentyl phthalate (DiPeP), a potent anti-androgenic phthalate, were found in the urine of Brazilian pregnant women. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the effects of DiPeP exposure during critical developmental periods on behaviours controlled by sex hormones in rats. Pregnant Wistar rats were treated with DiPeP (1, 10 or 100 mg kg day-1 ) or canola oil by oral gavage between gestational day 10 and post-natal day (PND) 21. Male offspring were tested in a behavioural battery, including the elevated plus maze task, play behaviour, partner preference and sexual behaviour. After the behavioural tests, the hypothalamus and pituitary of these animals were removed on PND 60-65 and PND 145-160 to quantify gene expression for aromatase, androgen receptor (Ar) and oestrogen receptors α (Esr1) and ß (Esr2). Male rats exposed to 1 and 10 mg kg day-1 DiPeP displayed no preference for the female stimulus rat in the partner preference test and 1 mg kg day-1 DiPeP rats also showed a significant increase in mount and penetration latencies when mated with receptive females. A decrease in pituitary Esr1 expression was observed in all DiPeP treated groups regardless of age. A reduction in hypothalamic Esr1 expression in rats exposed to 10 mg kg day-1 DiPeP was also observed. No significant changes were found with respect to Ar, Esr2 and aromatase expression in the hypothalamus. These results suggest that DiPeP exposure during critical windows of development in rats may induce changes in behaviours related to mating and the sexual motivation of males.