The association between dibutyl phthalate (DBP)-induced testicular function damage and endocrine disorders

To explore the association between dibutyl phthalate (DBP)-induced testicular function damage and endocrine disorders by using adult male rats as animal models. 40 healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into three exposure groups (DBP: 1000mg. kg
^-1
. d
^-1
, 500mg. kg
^-1
. d
^-1
, 50mg. kg
^-1
. d
^-1
) and one negative control group (corn oil by gavage: 10mL.kg.d-1), and were killed by cervical dislocation after 5 weeks. Sperm quality, testicular histopathology, oxidative stress and reproductive hormone levels of adult male rats were measured were analyzed. The results showed that sperm concentration and sperm motility decreased (P <;0.05) by the level of exposure groups, malformation rate was significantly increased (P <;0.05) in the exposure groups; SOD, GSH-Px and T-AOC in high and middle dose group were lower (P <;0.05) than those in the control group; MDA values in exposure groups were higher (P <;0.05) than that of the control group; FSH and LH levels increased, and T level decreased (P <; 0.05) by DBP concentration. DBP-induced tissue damage of rat testis was associated with the blood-testis barrier damage, which resulted in the increase of hormone FSH, LH levels, and decrease of T levels. These changes have an effect on the function of seminiferous epithelium, leading to the decrease of sperm counts and sperm motility, and increased of abnormal sperm.