Effects of oral exposure to the phthalate substitute acetyl tributyl citrate on female reproduction in mice

摘要

Acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC), is a phthalate substitute used in food and medical plastics, cosmetics, and toys. Although systemically safe up to 1000 mg/kg/day, its ability to cause reproductive toxicity in females at levels below 50 mg/kg/day has not been examined. This study evaluated the effects of lower ATBC exposures on female reproduction using mice. Adult CD-1 females (n=7–8/treatment) were dosed orally with tocopherol-stripped corn oil (vehicle), 5 or 10 mg/kg/day ATBC daily for 15 days, and then bred with a proven breeder male. ATBC exposure did not alter body weights, estrous cyclicity, and gestational and litter parameters. Relative spleen weight was slightly increased in the 5 mg/kg/day group. ATBC at 10 mg/kg/day targeted ovarian follicles and decreased the number of primordial, primary, and secondary follicles present in the ovary. These findings suggest that low levels of ATBC may be detrimental to ovarian function, thus, more information is needed to better understand the impact of ATBC on female reproduction.