Epigenetic effects of endocrine disruptors on male rats

Abstract

Disorders of human male reproductive development are common with increasing its incidence in the world recently. Maternal exposure to endocrine disruptors (ED) has been claimed to be associated with such reproductive disorders in male offspring. Exposure to ED during development is a bigger concern than exposure during adulthood. The health consequences of developmental exposure are mostly permanent or long-lasting while the individuals who are exposed during adulthood usually regain their normal physiological functions after the withdrawal of chemical. Thus, the present study was conducted to investigat the developmental effect of maternal exposure to ED (e.g. DBP) on pups’ testis and to screen the protective role of Se-NPs against such disorders. For realizing this purpose, a total number of forty-two female rats (200- 250 gm) were inseminated using apparently healthy males in a ratio 1/3. The day when sperm was found in the vagina of the matched female was considered to be gestation day 0 (GD 0). Weights were recorded daily before dosing, and the doses were adjusted accordingly. The dam treatment begins from GD 12 to postnatal day (PND) 14. The pregnant female rats were divided into six equal groups, each group comprises of seven pregnant females:-