Prenatal developmental toxicity studies on di-n-heptyl and di-n-octyl phthalates in Sprague-Dawley rats

This study evaluates the developmental toxicity of two dialkyl phthalate esters, di-n-heptyl phthalate (DHPP) and di-n-octyl (DnOP) phthalate, which have straight-alkyl side chains of seven and eight carbons, respectively. Sprague-Dawley rats were administered 0, 0.25, 0.50, or 1 g/kg/day of DHPP or DnOP, by gavage, on gestation days 6–20. DHPP and DnOP had no adverse effect on maternal feed consumption and body weight gain, or on the incidence of post-implantation loss and fetal body weight. There was no increase in the incidence of fetal malformations or external and visceral variations, whatever treatment. A significant increase in rudimentary lumbar ribs was observed at all doses of DHPP and DnOP. The anogenital distance of the male fetuses was significantly decreased at the highest dose of DHPP. This parameter was not affected by DnOP. Thus, the lowest-observed-adverse-effect level (LOAEL) for developmental toxicity was 0.25 g/kg/day for DHPP and DnOP.

► Di-n-heptyl phthalate (DHPP) and di-n-octyl (DnOP) phthalate are plasticizers.
► Their prenatal developmental toxicity was evaluated in rats.
► DHPP and DnOP were not teratogenic up to 1 g/kg/day.
► Fetal rudimentary lumbar ribs were increased from 0.25 g/kg/day of DHPP and DnOP.
► The anogenital distance of the male fetuses was decreased at 1 g/kg/day of DHPP.