US EPA

675096 

Journal Article 

Abstract 

Decreased anogenital distance (AGD) and undescended testes in fetuses of rats given monobenzyl phthalate (MBeP) during pregnancy 

Ema, M; Miyawaki, E 

2003 

1 

Toxicologist
ISSN: 0731-9193 

DART/TER/3000753 

72 

S-1 

274 

English 

http://www.toxicology.org/ai/pub/Tox/2003Tox.pdf
Exit
 

is related to other part(s) 675105 Decreased anogenital distance and increased incidence of undescended testes in male offspring of rats given monobenzyl phthalate, a major metabolite of butyl benzyl phthalate, during late pregnancy

We previously reported that administration of butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) to pregnant rats during late pregnancy caused decreased AGD and undescended testes in male offspring. The present study was conducted to determine the adverse effects of MBeP, a major metabolite of BBP, on development of the reproductive system in male offspring following maternal administration during late pregnancy. Pregnant rats were given MBeP by gastric intubation at 167, 250, or 375 mg/kg on days 15 to 17 of pregnancy and fetuses were examined on day 21 of pregnancy. Maternal body weight gain and food consumption during the administration period were significantly decreased at 167 mg/kg and higher. No increase in the postimplantation loss was found after administration of MBeP. The body weights of male and female fetuses were significantly lower at 375 mg/kg. A significant decrease in the AGD of male fetuses was observed after administration of MBeP at 250 mg/kg and higher. The AGD/cube root of body weight ratio in male fetuses was also significantly reduced at 250 mg/kg and higher. The AGD and AGD/cube root of body weight ratio of female fetuses in the MBeP-treated groups were comparable to those in the control group. A significant increase in the incidence of fetuses with undescended testes was found at 250 mg/kg and higher. These findings indicate that MBeP during late pregnancy produces adverse effects on development of the male reproductive system and suggest that MBeP participates, at least in part, in the induction of the adverse effects of BBP. 

Pregnancy; Rats; Animal; Male; Female; Phthalic Acids TOXICITY; Cryptorchidism CHEMICALLY INDUCED; Anus ABNORMALITIES; Genitalia; Male ABNORMALITIES; Dose-Response Relationship; Drug; Body Weight DRUG EFFECTS; No cas rn 

42nd Annual Meeting & ToxExpo 

Salt Lake City, UT 

March 9–13, 2003