Localization of Laminin and Fibronectin in Rat Testes after Diisobutyl Phthalate Exposure: Histopathologic and Immunohistochemical Study

Abstract

In this study the effects of Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP) from commonly used pytalates were histopathologically investigated in order to find out whether it is one of the causes of increased infertility in recent years. In addition, the localization of laminin and fibronectin was demonstrated immunohistochemically after exposure to DIBP. For this purpose, three study groups from Wistar albino rats were created: experimental group, control group and corn oil applied group. The experimental group were administered by gavage 3 different doses (0.25-0.5-1 ml/kg/day) of DIBP mixed with corn oil every day for 28 days. At the end of the experiment, the testis tissue samples from all of the experimental and control group animals were investigated and evaluated with a light microscope after routine histological and immunohistochemical preparation processes. Reduction in spermatogenic cell population, apoptotic and necrotic germ cells, increase in Sertoli cells, multinucleate giant cells, thickening and dilatation in basal lamina of seminiferous tubules, oedema and shrinkage in interstitial connective tissue were observed in DIBP treatment groups. The decrease in localization of fibronectin and laminin immunoreactivity in seminiferous tubules was observed. The results of this study demonstrated that DIBP causes serious damage to the testicular tissue, especially in terms of spermatogenesis. For this reason, it has come to the conclusion that the material in question may cause infertility in male individuals.