Effects of parenteral di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) on gonadal biochemistry, pathology, and reproductive performance of mice.

Male and female mice were treated subcutaneously (sc) with 1-100 ml/kg of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) on d 1, 5, and 10 of the experiment and evaluated at d 21 for reproductive performance, selected biochemical parameters of the gonads, and histological alterations of the gonads. In both male and female treated mice there was a reduction in incidence of pregnancy. There were biochemical suggestions of reduced anabolic activity in the gonads (as reflected by decreased ATPase activity and of RNA, DNA, and protein content), and of increased catabolic activity in the gonads (as reflected by an increase in lysosomal enzyme activity and histological damage).

Effects of phthalic acid esters on drug metabolizing enzymes of rat liver.

Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) inhibited UDP-glucuronyltransferase activity of rat liver in vitro and in vivo. Diethyl phthalate and dimethoxyethyl phthalate also inhibited this enzyme in vitro. On the other hand, DEHP did not inhibit the activity of the cytosolic enzyme N-acetyltransferase; it also did not alter the levels of rat liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 in vitro.

Antifertility and mutagenic effects in mice from parenteral administration of di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP).

The subcutaneous administration of 1-10 mg of undiluted di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) to adult male ICR mice on d 1, 5, and 10 was followed by mating, one to one, with untreated adult virgin females. A single mating at d 21 resulted in a reduction in the incidence of pregnancies in the DEHP-treated groups. On the other hand, repeated matings with fresh females starting on d 2, 6, 11, 16, and 21, and at weekly intervals through 8 wk, revealed no perceptible effect of DEHP on the incidence of pregnancy.

Developmental changes in the conversion rates of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate to monoethylhexyl phthalate in rats.

The activities of liver, lung, and kidney of rats of various age groups and that of placenta in hydrolyzing di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate to mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate have been measured. Male and female rats of 45 d of age, neonatal rats within 12 h of parturition, and fetuses and placenta on d 19 of gestation were used. The liver was most active in all age groups; however, the lung and the kidney also had considerable activity.

Mutagenicity evaluation of phthalic acid esters and metabolites in Salmonella typhimurium cultures.

The mutagenic potential of dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), and di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEPH), as well as metabolites of DEHP--i.e., mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP), 2-ethylhexanol (2-EH), and phthalic acid (PA)--were tested in Salmonella typhimurium cultures using the Ames test procedure.