Effect of Phthalates residues in plastic bottled waters on reproductive toxicity and oxidative stress in male rabbits

Abstract

Phthalates are a genealogy of man-made chemical compounds improved in the last hundred to be employment in the devise of plastics, solvents, and personal care products. They are colorless, odorless, oily liquids that do not evaporate easily and do not. Phthalate esters are widely used as plasticizer. They can migrate from plastic materials to the environment. Exposure to some of these compounds may increase the risk of getting cancer. The experiment was designed to study toxic effects of Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) on semen characteristics, testosterone levels, testicular lipid peroxidation and testicular antioxidants in male New-Zealand white rabbits for 12 weeks. Results obtained showed that DEHP significantly (P<0.05) decreased libido (by increasing the reaction time), ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, total sperm output, sperm motility (%), total motile sperm per ejaculate (TMS), packed sperm volume (PSV), total functional sperm fraction (TFSF), normal and live sperm and semen initial fructose. Also, testosterone levels, body weight (BW), relative weights of the testes (RWT) and epididymis (RWE) were decreased. Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and lactate dehydrogenase were increased, while glutathione S-transferase, transaminases and phosphatases were decreased in seminal plasma of rabbits treated with DEHP compared to control. Chemically bind to the material they are added to quality assurance scheme for residue monitoring in water is quite important. Although, one cannot avoid phthalate contamination in bottled waters due to the manufacturing process, but at least special care should be taken regarding their storage conditions.