Adverse effects on the endocrine and reproductive system of single and combined orthophthalates in female rats following short‑term exposure

Plasticizers like phthalate acid esters (PAEs) are ubiquitous. High exposition through contaminated food consumption and plastic product use is considered a serious public health issue since it May cause disruption of certain human endocrine functions. Numerous studies Have shown a strong link between exposure to PAEs and serious hormonal system dysfunction. However, most current studies highlight individual compound exposure that does not reflect real environmental interactions. The Main aim of the present study was the investigation of single and mixed PAE effects on female rats. Sexual hormone secretion, hepatic enzyme activities, and thyroid and ovarian histology were examined. For 21 days, animals (n = 88) in different groups were intraperitoneal injected with increased doses of bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), (DEHP + DBP), (DEHP + BBP), (DBP + BBP), and (DEHP + DBP + BBP). Results showed the existence of a dose-dependent relationship. The ovarian hormone secretion decreases as the PAEs’ injected dose increases. An opposite response was observed for the enzymatic activity. For all dosages, DBP induced the most significant moderate effect compared to the control group, while the mixture (DEHP + DBP + BBP) induced the most severe one. Thyroid and ovary histological tissue sections showed a structural abnormality, such as damage to folliculogenesis, a decrease in the viability of the follicles, and apoptosis of the granulosa cells. The study suggests paying particular attention to the interaction reactions of these emerging molecules between them and their synergistic mechanism.