EFFECT OF EXPOSURE TO DI-BUTYL PHTHALATE ON REPRODUCTIVE PHYSIOLOGY IN ADULT FEMALE MOUSE

Di-butyl phthalate (DBP) is an environmental contaminant used in the production of plastics, cosmetics and medical devices. In the present study, the effects of exposure to DBP on reproduction of female mice were investigated. Adult female mice given DBP through gastric intubation at 0 (control), 250 (low dose) and 1000 (high dose) mg / Kg BW/ day for 10 days. After treatment, body weight and ovarian weight of DBP treated mice decreased significantly at high dose while uterine weight decreased significantly both low and high dose as compared to control.  Gonadosomatic index (GSI) and uterosomatic index (USI) of these mice were found significantly lower at both doses of DBP. DBP treated mice showed altered estrous cyclicity at both DBP doses as compared to control.  Serum estradiol level was found significantly lower but the progesterone level was normal in DBP treated mice as compared to control. In ovary total cholesterol level was almost same in all three groups but activity of 3-β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3-β HSD) was found significantly lower at both DBP doses. In ovary and uterus the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) decreased significantly after treatment at both doses of DBP as compared to control. Histological observation revealed less number of healthy and growing follicles and decrement of lumen size in ovary and uterus respectively. In conclusion, our results substantiate that exposure of DBP compromises the reproduction of female mouse by hampering the growth and antioxidant capacity of reproductive organs.