Localization of Laminin and Fibronectin in Rat Testes after Diisobutyl Phthalate Exposure: Histopathologic and Immunohistochemical Study

Abstract

In this study the effects of Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP) from commonly used pytalates werehistopathologically investigated in order to find out whether it is one of the causes of increased infertilityin recent years. In addition, the localization of laminin and fibronectin was demonstratedimmunohistochemically after exposure to DIBP. For this purpose, three study groups from Wistar albinorats were created: experimental group, control group and corn oil applied group. The experimental groupwere administered by gavage 3 different doses (0.25-0.5-1 ml/kg/day) of DIBP mixed with corn oil everyday for 28 days. At the end of the experiment, the testis tissue samples from all of the experimental andcontrol group animals were investigated and evaluated with a light microscope after routine histologicaland immunohistochemical preparation processes. Reduction in spermatogenic cell population, apoptoticand necrotic germ cells, increase in Sertoli cells, multinucleate giant cells, thickening and dilatation inbasal lamina of seminiferous tubules, oedema and shrinkage in interstitial connective tissue were observedin DIBP treatment groups. The decrease in localization of fibronectin and laminin immunoreactivity inseminiferous tubules was observed. The results of this study demonstrated that DIBP causes seriousdamage to the testicular tissue, especially in terms of spermatogenesis. For this reason, it has come to theconclusion that the material in question may cause infertility in male individuals.