Testicular toxicity induced by single dosing of di- and mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate in the rat

The testicular toxicity of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), a widely used plasticizer, and of its major metabolite, mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), was assessed after a single dose in rats. Treatment with a single dose of 2.8 g/kg DEHP or 0.8 g/kg MEHP was sufficient to induce testicular atrophy as observed 7 days after dosing. Such a treatment had no effect on plasma FSH levels, and had varying effects on testicular zinc concentrations. After a single dose of 0.8 g/kg MEHP the testicular toxicity was age-dependent, in that only prepubertal rats were susceptible.