Abstract
Early developmental exposure to di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) has been linked to a variety of neurodevelopmental changes, particularly in rodents. The primary goal of this work was to establish whether acute postnatal exposure to a low dose of DEHP would alter hippocampal dendritic morphology and BDNF and caspase-3 mRNA expression in male and female Long Evans rats. Treatment with DEHP in male rats led to a reduction in spine density on basal and apical dendrites of neurons in the CA3 dorsal hippocampal region compared to vehicle-treated male controls. Dorsal hippocampal BDNF mRNA expression was also down-regulated in male rats exposed to DEHP. No differences in hippocampal spine density or BDNF mRNA expression were observed in female rats treated with DEHP compared to controls. DEHP treatment did not affect hippocampal caspase-3 mRNA expression in male or female rats. These results suggest a gender-specific vulnerability to early developmental DEHP exposure in male rats whereby postnatal DEHP exposure may interfere with normal synaptogenesis and connectivity in the hippocampus. Decreased expression of BDNF mRNA may represent a molecular mechanism underlying the reduction in dendritic spine density observed in hippocampal CA3 neurons. These findings provide initial evidence for a link between developmental exposure to DEHP, reduced levels of BDNF and hippocampal atrophy in male rats.
Highlights
Phthalates are synthetically derived chemicals widely used in many common consumer plastic products [1]
No differences in spine density on basal or apical dendrites of CA1 neurons or basal dendrites on DG granule cells were found between di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)-treated male and female rats when compared to controls of the same gender (p.0.05; Figure 3B; 4B; 5B)
The present study evaluated alterations in dorsal hippocampal dendritic morphology, and Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and caspase-3 mRNA expression following exposure to a low dose of DEHP during early postnatal development in male and female rats
Summary
Phthalates are synthetically derived chemicals widely used in many common consumer plastic products [1]. They are not chemically bound to plastic polymers and are released into the environment [2,3]. Animal toxicity studies have shown severe defects in male reproductive organs following early life exposure to phthalates in animals and humans, such as undescended testes [1,6,7,8]. Reduced anogential distance has been observed in human studies, with an inverse relationship between maternal exposure to phthalates and anogential distance in male infants [8]
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.