Ann Pediatr Res | Volume 2, Issue 2 | Research Article | Open Access

Epigenetic Alteration in Adult Male Testes after Perinatal Exposure to di-(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate

Yun-Jung Yang^1,2, Eui-Jin Lee³, Jong-Min Kim³ and Yeon-pyo Hong^1*

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

^*Correspondance to: Yeon-pyo Hong 

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Abstract

The di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is widely used as a plasticizer to increase the flexibility in plastic products. In the present study, the testicular dysfunction in adult male rat offspring after perinatal exposure to DEHP was evaluated. Pregnant rats were administered DEHP (0.75 mg/kg/day by gavage) from gestational day 6 to postnatal day 21. The early life group showed altered expression of several steroidogenesis enzymes in adult male testes compared with control and lifelong groups. Methylation of clusterin promoter region in testes was increased in the early life group compared with the control group. These results indicated perinatal exposure to DEHP may increase DNA damage and result in testicular dysfunction in adulthood.

Citation:

Yang Y-J, Lee E-J, Kim J-M, Hong Y-P. Epigenetic Alteration in Adult Male Testes after Perinatal Exposure to di-(2- ethylhexyl) Phthalate. Ann Pediatr Res. 2018; 2(2): 1013.