Effect of period of exposure on the developmental toxicity of butyl benzyl phthalate in rats

Variability of phthalate monoester levels in daily first-morning urine from adult women: a pilot study

Phthalate exposure is ubiquitous and may affect child and adolescent health through both in utero exposure and direct exposure during childhood. Variability in exposure within women is not well documented. We analyzed 90 first-morning urine samples collected by ten reproductive-age women for phthalate metabolites and creatinine. Monoethyl [122 ng/mL (geometric mean concentration = 139 microg/g creatinine)], monobutyl [85.4 ng/mL (97.0 microg/g creatinine)], monobenzyl [37.2 ng/mL (42.2 microg/g creatinine)], and mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate [9.4 ng/mL (10.7 microg/g creatinine)] were detected in most (94.4%) samples. The concentrations ranged from 23.8-1090 ng/mL, 43-437 ng/mL, 12.4-186 ng/mL, and 1.3-31.1 ng/mL, respectively. We observed considerable variation in phthalate concentrations by day for individual women. The intraclass correlation coefficient, indicating the proportion of variance explained by differences between subjects, ranged from 0.40 (monobutyl) to 0.68 (monoethyl). Monobenzyl and monoethyl phthalates showed higher levels on weekends as compared with weekdays (p = .01 for both). We found no significant difference between monoester levels from different menstrual cycles. Phthalate concentrations vary considerably for an individual and may require multiple samples for accurate assessment

Developmental effects of plasticizer butyl benzyl phthalate after a single administration in rats

The objective of this study was to determine the susceptible day for the developmental toxicity of butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) by a single administration on one of the days during organogenesis. Pregnant rats were given a single dose of BBP by gastric intubation at a dose of 1000 mg kg(-1) on one of days 13-15 of pregnancy and at 1500 mg kg(-1) on one of days 6-16 of pregnancy. Post-implantation embryolethality was found in pregnant rats given on one of days 6-16, except for day 7. Teratogenicity was noted after a single dosing of BBP on one of days 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14 and 15. Deformity of the cervical vertebrae frequently was observed after administration of BBP on day 7. Cleft palate and fusion of the sternebrae were found exclusively, after administration of BBP on day 15. It can be concluded that the manifestation of deviant development induced by BBP varies with the developmental stage at the time of administration and that BBP induces two discrete responses from embryos to teratogenicity during early and late organogenesis.

Metabolism of n-butyl benzyl phthalate in the female Wistar rat. Identification of new metabolites

n-Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), a plasticizer used in polyvinylchloride (PVC) and other polymers, has been orally administered to female Wistar rats with four doses (150, 475, 780 and 1500 mg/kg body weight/day) for 3 consecutive days. Metabolites recovered in urines were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) after 24, 48 and 72 hours. Six metabolites were identified. Mono-n-butyl phthalate (MBuP) and mono-n-benzyl phthalate (MBeP) represented respectively 29-34% and 7-12% of the total recovered metabolites. Hippuric acid, the main metabolite of benzoic acid, represented the second major metabolite (51-56%). Phthalic acid, benzoic acid and an omega-oxidized metabolite of MBuP were also recovered in urine but in small quantities. BBP was never identified in urines. Total urinary metabolites recovery represented 56% of the dose administered in the first 24 hours. However, total recovery decreased when the dose increases (43% at 780 mg/kg body weight/day, only 30% at 1500 mg/kg body weight/day). Whatever the time was, BBP metabolites recovered in urines were all present and in the same proportions for the two lowest doses. Discrepancy in metabolites quantities expressed as percentages of the dose observed in urine of rat treated with the highest BBP dose disappeared with time as MBuP, MBeP and hippuric acid recovery has significantly increased at day 3. Metabolic profile of BBP in female rats has been established. The aim of the present study is to identify further the active(s) agent(s) involved in the BBP malformations and teratogenic effects.

Reproductive effects of butyl benzyl phthalate in pregnant and pseudopregnant rats

In our previous studies, butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) was found to be embryolethal and teratogenic in rats. In this study, the reproductive effects of BBP were investigated in pregnant and pseudopregnant rats. Rats were given BBP by gastric intubation at 0, 250, 500, 750, or 1000 mg/kg on Days 0 to 8 of pregnancy and the pregnancy outcome was determined on Day 20 of pregnancy. The same doses of BBP were given to pseudopregnant rats, with an induced decidual cell response on Days 0 to 8 of pseudopregnancy, and the uterine weight on Day 9 served as an index of the uterine decidualization. BBP caused significant increases in the incidences of preimplantation loss in females successfully mated at 1000 mg/kg and of postimplantation loss in females having implantations at 750 mg/kg and above. Uterine decidual growth in pseudopregnant rats was significantly decreased at 750 mg/kg and above. These findings suggest that early embryonic loss due to BBP may be mediated, at least in part, via the suppression of uterine decidualization, an impairment of uterine function.

Characterization of developmental toxicity of mono-n-benzyl phthalate in rats

The objective of this study was to characterize the developmental toxicity of mono-n-benzyl phthalate (MBeP), which is one of the major metabolites of n-butyl benzyl phthalate. Pregnant rats were given MBeP by gastric intubation at 250, 375, 500, or 625 mg/kg on days 7 to 9, 10 to 12, or 13 to 15 of pregnancy. A significantly increased incidence of postimplantation loss was found at 500 mg/kg and above regardless of the days of administration. While administration of MBeP on days 7 to 9 or 13 to 15 at 375 mg/kg and above was significantly teratogenic, no evidence of teratogenicity was detected when MBeP was given on days 10 to 12. Deformity of the vertebral column and ribs and dilation of the renal pelvis were frequently observed after administration on days 7 to 9. Cleft palate and fused sternebrae were exclusively found after administration on days 13 to 15. These findings indicate that the susceptibility and spectrum of the developmental toxicity of MBeP vary with the developmental stages at the time of administration.

Developmental toxicity evaluation of mono-n-butyl phthalate in rats

Mono-n-butyl phthalate (MBuP) was evaluated for developmental toxicity in Wistar rats. Rats were given MBuP by gastric intubation at 0, 250, 500 or 625 mg/kg on days 7-15 of pregnancy. Significant decreases in the maternal body weight gains and food consumption during pregnancy were found at 500 and 625 mg/kg. Significant increase in the incidence of postimplantation loss per litter and decreases in the number of live fetuses per litter and fetal weight were also detected at 500 mg/kg and above. The incidence of fetuses with malformations in the 500 and 625 mg/kg groups was higher than that in the control group. Cleft palate, deformity of the vertebral column and dilatation of the renal pelvis were frequently observed.

Evaluation of the OECD 421 reproductive toxicity screening test protocol using butyl benzyl phthalate

The OECD421 reproductive toxicity screening test protocol was evaluated using the reproductive and developmental toxicant butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP). Female rats were orally exposed from 14 days premating to 6 days postpartum. Male rats were exposed for 29 days. At 1000 mg/kg bw/day effects were found on body weight gain and food consumption, on spermatogenesis, time to conception, pregnancy rate, postimplantation survival, and litter size and weight. Food consumption and pup weight were slightly affected at 500 mg/kg also. Effects occurred at expected dosages on the basis of literature data. These findings support the conclusion that the OECD421 test scores BBP correctly as a reproductive toxicant, both in a qualitative and in a quantitative sense.

Embryolethality of butyl benzyl phthalate during early pregnancy in rats

In our previous studies, butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) was found to be embryolethal and teratogenic in rats. In order to extend these findings, the effects of BBP during early pregnancy on maternal parameters were examined. Pregnant rats were given dietary BBP at 2.0% on day 0 through the day of sacrifice, day 7, 9, or 11 of pregnancy. The number of corpora lutea and implantations and the incidence of preimplantation embryonic loss were comparable across all groups. The postimplantation embryonic loss on day 11 in the 2.0% BBP group was markedly higher than that in the control and pair-fed groups. Regardless of the day of sacrifice, the uterine and ovarian weights and plasma progesterone levels, except for the ovarian weight on day 7, in the 2.0% BBP groups were significantly lower than those in the control and pair-fed groups. These findings suggest that the postimplantation embryonic loss due to BBP during early pregnancy is mediated via the reduction in plasma progesterone levels, an impairment of luteal function.

Characterization of the developmental toxicity of di-n-butyl phthalate in rats

The objective of this study was to determine the characterization of the developmental toxicity of di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) in rats. Pregnant rats were given DBP by gastric intubation at a dose of 0.75, 1.0 or 1.5 g/kg on days 7-9, 10-12 or 13-15 of pregnancy. Postimplantation loss was 100% for each period of dosing at 1.5 g/kg. A significant increase in the postimplantation loss was found in dams given DBP at doses of 0.75 and 1.0 g/kg regardless of the days of treatment. No evidence of teratogenicity was detected when DBP was given on days 10-12. Treatment on days 7-9 with DBP at doses of 0.75 and 1.0 g/kg caused a significant increase in the number of skeletal malformations such as deformity of the vertebral column in the cervical and thoracic regions and of the ribs, but neither external nor internal malformations. Treatment with DBP on days 13-15 at doses of 0.75 and 1.0 g/kg resulted in a significant increase in the incidence of fetuses with external and skeletal malformations such as cleft palate and fusion of the sternebrae. The frequency of malformations increased as the dose of DBP was increased. The highest incidence of malformed fetuses occurred after treatment with DBP on days 13-15. It could be concluded that susceptibility to the teratogenicity of DBP varies with the developmental stage at the time of administration.

Teratogenic phase specificity of butyl benzyl phthalate in rats

Pregnant rats were given butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) by gastric intubation at a dose of 0.6, 0.75 or 1.0 g/kg on days 7-9, 10-12 or 13-15 of pregnancy. While treatment with BBP on days 7-9 or 13-15 at doses of 0.75 and 1.0 g/kg was significantly teratogenic, no evidence of teratogenicity was detected when BBP was given on days 10-12. The incidence of malformed fetuses was proportional to the dose of BBP. Treatment on days 7-9 with BBP at doses of 0.75 g/kg and above caused a significant increase in the number of skeletal malformations, such as fusion of the cervical vertebral arches and deformity of the thoracic vertebrae, but neither external nor internal malformations. Treatment on days 13-15 with two higher doses of BBP resulted in a significantly increased incidence of fetuses with external and skeletal malformations such as cleft palate and fusion of the sternebrae. The highest incidence of malformed fetuses occurred after treatment with BBP on days 13-15. It could be concluded that the susceptibility to the teratogenicity of BBP varies with the developmental stage at the time of administration.

Teratogenic evaluation of butyl benzyl phthalate in rats by gastric intubation

Pregnant rats were given butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) by gastric intubation at a dose of 0, 0.5, 0.75 or 1.0 g/kg on days 7-15 of pregnancy. In the 0.5 g/kg group, food consumption during the administration period was significantly decreased, but no adverse effect on the embryo-fetus was detected. High maternal lethality and complete resorption of implanted embryos in all the surviving dams were observed in the 1.0 g/kg group. Increased embryo-fetal death and decreased fetal weight were found at a dose of 0.75 g/kg which also caused reductions in maternal body weight gain and food consumption. A significantly and markedly increased incidence of fetal malformations was also detected in the 0.75 g/kg group. Cleft palate, fusion of the sternebrae and dilatation of the renal pelvis were mostly observed.