Prenatal and breastfeeding exposure to low dose of diethylhexyl phthalate induces behavioral deficits and exacerbates oxidative stress in rat hippocampus.

Diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) is one of the most important derivatives of phthalate that has devastating effects on nervous system function. In this study, the effects of exposure with low doses of DEHP during pregnancy and lactation periods have been evaluated in rat's puppies. DEHP at doses 5, 40, 400 μg/kg/day and 300 mg/kg/day was given to mothers by gavage during pregnancy and lactation. The spatial and working memories were evaluated by Morris water maze test and Y maze, respectively. Oxidative stress levels were measured by biochemical tests. Histopathology of hippocampal tissue was assessed using hematoxylin and eosin, Nissl staining, and immunohistofluorescence in 60-days-old puppies. Behavioral data showed that low doses of DEHP decreased the working and spatial memories of male rats. Increased oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant activity were also observed in the hippocampus of rats which received the low doses of DEHP. However, neuronal damage, inflammation, and astrocyte activation were not significantly increased in the hippocampus of rats. Overall, exposure of mothers to low doses of DEHP during pregnancy and lactation cause behavioral deficits, especially in male newborn. The destructive effects of low doses of DEHP might be mediated through increased levels of oxidative stress in the brain.