Role of Di-(2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate on the Antioxidant Status in Ovary and Testes of the Fish, Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters, 1852)

Author(s): V. Revathy and K. C. Chitra*

Abstract: Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is one of the endocrine disrupting chemicals that possess estrogenic properties. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the reproductive toxicity of DEHP that are mediated through the antioxidant defense system in ovary and testes of the freshwater fish, Oreochromis mossambicus. DEHP at 60 ppm concentration was exposed to fish for short-term (24, 48, 72 and 96 h) and long-term (7, 14, 30 and 60 days) durations along with control groups. Activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase were measured in the ovary and testis. The level of lipid peroxidation and the activities of steroidogenic enzymes namely 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase were also analysed. The results when compared to the control tissues indicated that DEHP-exposure significantly (P<0.05) decreased the activities of antioxidant enzymes with concomitant significant (P<0.05) increase in the level of lipid peroxidation in both ovary and testis. The activities of steroidogenic enzymes showed significant (P<0.05) reduction in ovary and testis after DEHP exposure. The results suggest that DEHP exposure disturbed the pro-oxidant and antioxidant balance that preferentially affected the reproductive functions of the fish. The study provides early warning indicators for the ecological risk assessment to monitor plasticizer pollution in aquatic ecosystems.

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