[Effects of subchronic exposure of laboratory mice to benzylbutyl phthalate (BBP) on the quantity and quality of male germ cells]

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of 8-weeks exposure of male mice to benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) on the sperm count and quality of gametes. Pzh:Sfis male mice exposed per os to 450 mg/kg bw (1/16 LD50) and to 1800 mg/kg bw (1/4 LD50) of BBP in olive oil were used in the study. Control mice were treated with olive oil only. Groups of animals were killed 4 and 8 weeks after the start of exposure and 4 weeks after he end of exposure. Sperm count, motility, morphology and DNA damage in gametes were estimated in the study. Sperm counts were diminished 4 and 8 weeks after the start of exposure to BBP. In the same time decrease in sperm motility and dose-dependent increase in the frequency of abnormal sperm heads and slight increase in DNA damage were noted. 4 weeks after the end of exposure, slight decrease in sperm counts in the group of 1/4 LD50 was observed, only. Correlation between sperm count and testes and epididymes weight were noted. Themost sensitive to BBP exposure occurred spermatozoa and spermatids.