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Potent cocktails: Effects of phthalate mixtures on reproductive development
Citation:
HOWDESHELL, K. Potent cocktails: Effects of phthalate mixtures on reproductive development. Presented at Allengheny-Erie Chapter of the Society of Toxicology, Pittsburgh, PA, October 30, 2009.
Impact/Purpose:
Based upon the importance of testosterone for vertebrate development, further study is needed to determine the potential for phthalate effects on human reproductive development.
Description:
Phthalate diesters are high-production volume chemicals used for many applications in consumer, health, medical and industrial products. Multiple phthalate metabolites have been detected in humans of all ages, including in pregnant mothers' urine and human amniotic fluid. Certain phthalate esters inhibit reproductive development in laboratory rats, particularly when chemical exposure occurs during in utero sexual differentiation. Our laboratory collected data on the effects of individual phthalates to design, model and test for cumulative effects of phthalate mixtures on male reproductive development. We observed that mixtures ofphthalates with each other, and with other anti-androgenic chemicals, can produce dose additive effects on testosterone production in the fetal male rat, permanently altering the development of the male reproductive tract. We also found the phthalate mixtures cumulatively induced reproductive malformations in female rats. Based upon the importance of testosterone for vertebrate development, further study is needed to determine the potential for phthalate effects on human reproductive development. Disclaimer: This presentation does not necessarily represent USEPA policy.