Bis-(2-ethylexhyl) phthalate impairs spermatogenesis in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Bis-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a widely used industrial additive for increasing plastic flexibility. Its metabolites are known to exert toxic effects on reproduction and development of mammals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of environmentally relevant concentrations of DEHP (0.2 and 20 μg/L) on the reproductive biology of adult male zebrafish (Danio rerio). The effects of DEHP and 17β-ethynylestradiol (a positive control) were determined after one or three weeks of exposure by TUNEL assay, histomorphometric analysis and evaluation of reproductive performance. DEHP impaired reproduction in zebrafish by inducing a mitotic arrest during spermatogenesis, increasing DNA fragmentation in sperm cells and markedly reducing embryo production (up to 90%). In conclusion, relatively short-term exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of DEHP is able to alter spermatogenesis and affect reproduction in zebrafish.