Ann Pediatr Res | Volume 1, Issue 1 | Research Article | Open Access

Changes of Steroidogenic Enzymes and Clusterin in Adult Male Offspring after Early Life Stage Exposure to Low Dose Di (2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate

Sang-il Kim¹, Yun-jung Yang², Eui-Jin Lee³ and Yeon-pyo Hong^1*

¹Department of Preventive Medicine, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Korea
²Department of Integrative Medicine, Catholic Kwandong University International St. Mary’s Hospital, Korea
³Department of Catholic Integrative Medicine, Incheon St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Korea

^*Correspondance to: Yeon-pyo Hong 

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Abstract

Exposure to Di (2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate (DEHP) during early life stage could increase the risk of male reproductive disorders later in life. However, there has been controversy about the long-term effects of DEHP even lower than the dosage of traditional toxicological studies. This study was examined the association between low dose exposure of DEHP during early life and the alteration of steroidogenesis enzymes and clusterin expression in adult progeny. Pregnant SD rats were administered corn oil (control) and DEHP 0.75 mg/kg/day once daily by oral gavage. Early life stage group was received DEHP from Gestation Day (GD) 6 to Postnatal Day (PND) 21 to dam. Lifelong period group was received from GD 6 to PND 70. Body and organ weight (testis and epididymis), developmental characteristics, histological changes of testis and epididymis, serum hormones (FSH, LH, testosterone and 17β-estradiol), the expression of steroidogenic enzymes and clusterin in testis were examined on PND 70. The expression of 3β-HSD and aromatize in early life stage group, and the expression of 17β -HSD in lifelong period group were significantly decreased compared to control. Clusterin expression in lifelong period group was significantly lower than control groups. In conclusion, perinatal exposure to DEHP at low dose could result in adverse effects on testicular function in adulthood.

Keywords:

Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate; Low dose; Early life; Steroidogenic enzymes; Clusterin

Citation:

im S-i, Yang Y-j, Lee E-J, Hong Y-p. Changes of Steroidogenic Enzymes and Clusterin in Adult Male Offspring after Early Life Stage Exposure to Low Dose Di (2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate. Ann Pediatr Res. 2017; 1(1): 1003.