US EPA

3350367 

Journal Article 

Quercetin attenuates di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate-induced testicular toxicity in adult rats 

Abd-Ellah, MF; Aly, HA; Mokhlis, HA; Abdel-Aziz, AH 

2016 

Yes 

Human & Experimental Toxicology
ISSN: 0960-3271
EISSN: 1477-0903 

SAGE Publications Ltd 

35 

3 

232-243 

English 

25882133 

10.1177/0960327115580602 

WOS:000369657300003 

https://search.proquest.com/docview/1762964616?accountid=171501
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The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential oxidative damage of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in the rat testis and to further elucidate the potential modulatory effect of quercetin. DEHP was diluted in corn oil and given to rats by oral gavage at doses 0, 300, 600, and 900 mg/kg/day (groups I, III, IV, or V, respectively) for 15 consecutive days. Group VI was pretreated with quercetin (90 mg/kg), 24 h before starting the experiment and then treated with DEHP (900 mg/kg/day) for 15 consecutive days. Group II was treated with quercetin (90 mg/kg/day). The relative testes weight and sperm motility were significantly decreased by treatment with 900 mg/kg of DEHP. Both sperm count and daily sperm production were significantly decreased by DEHP treatment at doses of 600 and 900 mg/kg. Serum testosterone level and prostatic acid phosphatase (ACP) activity and testicular lactate dehydrogenase-X (LDH-X) activity were significantly decreased in animals treated with 900 mg/kg. Serum total ACP activity was significantly increased in animals treated with 600 and 900 mg/kg of DEHP. DEHP treatment induced oxidative stress and histopathological abnormality. These abnormalities were effectively normalized by pretreatment with quercetin except for LDH-X near normalcy. In conclusion, the findings of this study demonstrate that DEHP impairs testicular function at least, in part, by inducing oxidative stress and quercetin has a potent protective effect against DEHP-induced testicular toxicity in rats. 

DEHP; quercetin; testis; spermatogenesis; oxidative stress