Assessment of duration dependent toxic responses induced by dietary administration of phthalate on liver indices, hormonal parameters and associated histopathological changes in reproductive organs of female swiss albino mice

Tanuja^a, Anjali Singh^b, Shivangi Singh^c, Kumari Puja^d*, Ravish Kumar^e & J.K Singh^e
aUniversity Department of Botany, Patliputra University, Patna, Bihar, India
^bDepartment of Biotechnology, T.P.S College, Patliputra University, Patna, Bihar, India
^cDepartment of Pathology, SGT Medical College Hospital & Research Instutute, Gurugram, Haryana, India
^dResearch Scholar, Department of Biochemistry, Magadh University, Bodh-Gaya, Bihar, India
^eS. S. Hospital and Research Institute, Patna, Bihar, India
Received : 16th January, 2021 ; Revised : 14th February, 2021

Abstract– Phthalate esters are reported to exert harmful effects on mammalian reproduction and fertility and to elucidate in detail the duration dependant toxic responses of phthalate DEHP, it was orally administered by gavage at the dose of 15 mg /kg b.wt to female swiss albino mice for 4, 6 and 12 weeks period. The observed changes in body weight were statistically not significant (P>0.05) after four and six weeks while it was statistically very significant (P<0.01) after twelve weeks of DEHP administration in female mice. Progressive decrease in the level of the hormones estrogens and progesterone were recorded and the values were found statistically very significant (P<0.001).The increase in serum levels of SGPT and ALP in DEHP treated group of mice was observed from fourth to the twelfth week of the experimental period and the observed values were statistically significant. The present study also showed that the serum levels of albumin and total protein decreased progressively from sixth week to twelfth week and were found to be statistically significant. The biochemical findings were associated with histological changes in the tissues of ovary and uterus of treated group III of mice. The ovarian tissues showed degenerations in the graaffian follicles, stroma and in corpus luteum after 6 and 12 weeks as compared to normal group I and control group II mice. In uterine tissue, lumen with degenerative changes after 6 weeks as well as marked cellular degeneration in the gland & endometrial lining changes after 12 weeks were observed. Duration of exposure to phthalate is a matter of concern apart from dose and the future course of study should focus on examining the effects of phthalates at doses that mimic human exposure.

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