| Sign In to gain access to subscriptions and/or personal tools. |
DOI: 10.1080/01926230600642625 © 2006 Society of Toxicologic Pathology Proposed Mode of Action for In Utero Effects of Some Phthalate Esters on the Developing Male Reproductive TractK&D Scientific Consulting, Inc., Pittsford, New York 14534, USA, davidtox{at}frontiernet.net Phthalate esters containing a straight-chain backbone of 4—6 carbons have demonstrated testicular toxicity and infertility in adult and pre-adolescent rats, mice, hamsters, and ferrets. In recent years, these same phthalates have been shown to interfere with the normal development of the male reproductive tract in rodents and rabbits. The review presented here summarizes studies that provide evidence of a mode of action for these effects. The data indicate that C4—C6 phthalate esters inhibit processes in the Leydig cell, such as the synthesis of testosterone (T) and production of insulin-like factor 3 (insl3), both of which are required for normal development of male genitalia. A proposed secondary effect of reduced androgen production is on Sertoli cells, resulting in failure to proliferate and interference with cell-cell communication (gap-junction intracellular communication) leading to the development of large multinucleate gonocytes. The possibility that phthalates act directly on the Sertoli cells to interfere with intracellular communication is not excluded. The strength, consistency, and plausibility of the proposed mode of action and alternate modes of action are discussed.
Key Words: Phthalate esters • testicular dysgenesis • mode of action • developmental toxicity.
|
 |
|
|
 |
 |
Sign In to gain access to subscriptions and/or personal tools.
