Involvement of dibutyl phthalate on male reproductive toxicity in the freshwater fish Pseudetroplus maculatus (Bloch, 1795)

ABSTRACT

The testicular toxicity of dibutyl phthalate (DBP) was evaluated on the freshwater fish Pseudetroplus maculatus. The median lethal concentration of DBP for 96 h determined by probit analysis was 2 mg L⁻¹, and its sublethal (0.2 mg L⁻¹) exposure for 1, 3, 4, 7, and 15 d showed no change in the body weight but affected the reproductive parameters. The concentrations of alkali-labile phosphates and total protein in plasma and testis increased significantly (P < 0.05) with increase in the level of estradiol and decrease in testosterone, illustrating the adverse effect of DBP on male reproductive functions. Impairment in testicular steroidogenic enzymes and reduction in serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) with increase in cortisol suggested reproductive dysfunction and stress response of the fish. Further, failure in the reproductive performance was evidenced by reduction in sperm motility, viability, and sperm count. Histological examination confirmed the absence of spermatozoa, completely disorganized spermatogonia, and spermatocytes in treatment groups, suggesting testicular toxicity of DBP, which may contribute to infertility and decline in fish population in the natural environment.

KEYWORDS:

• DBP
• Pseudetroplus maculatus
• steroidogenesis
• hormones
• histology

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support provided by the Moulana Azad National Fellowship—University Grants Commission (UGC-MANF), Government of India. This research did not receive anyother specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.