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Collection of Alfalfa Root Exudates to Study the Impact of Di(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate on Metabolite Production

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Human testis steroidogenesis is inhibited by phthalates.

C Desdoits-Lethimonier¹, O Albert, B Le Bizec

¹Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale, IRSET, U1085, Campus de Beaulieu, F-35042 Rennes CEDEX, France.

Human Reproduction (Oxford, England)

|March 10, 2012

Summary

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) inhibit testosterone production in adult human testes. This study provides the first evidence of these anti-androgenic effects in humans.

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Phosphopeptide Analysis of Rodent Epididymal Spermatozoa

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Published on: December 30, 2014

Area of Science:

Endocrinology
Toxicology
Reproductive Biology

Background:

Phthalic acid esters, like DEHP and MEHP, are common plastic additives.
Previous studies suggest phthalates impair testosterone production in rats.
Human data on phthalate anti-androgenicity is limited and conflicting.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the direct effects of DEHP and MEHP on adult human testicular function.
To determine if DEHP and MEHP are anti-androgenic in humans.

Main Methods:

Organ culture of adult human testis explants.
Culture of NCI-H295R human adrenocortical cells.
Treatment with DEHP, MEHP, and ketoconazole (reference).

Main Results:

DEHP and MEHP significantly inhibited testosterone production in both human testis explants and the NCI-H295R cell line.
Phthalate effects were specific to steroidogenesis; INSL3, inhibin B, and germ cell apoptosis were unaffected.
Observed anti-androgenic effects occurred at phthalate concentrations similar to human exposure levels.

Conclusions:

This study presents the first evidence that DEHP and MEHP inhibit testosterone production in the adult human testis.
Findings align with recent epidemiological studies showing a link between MEHP exposure and lower testosterone levels.