Kilian, ElmareDelport, RhenaBornman, Maria S. (Riana)De Jager, Christiaan2007-11-012007-11-012007-08Kilian, E, Delport, R, Bornman, MS & De Jager, C 2007, 'Simultaneous exposure to low concentrations of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, deltamethrin, nonylphenol and phytoestrogens has negative effects on the reproductive parameters in male Spraque-Dawley rats', Andrologia, vol. 39, no. 4, pp.128-135. [http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/loi/and]0303-45691439-027210.1111/j.1439-0272.2007.00777.xhttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/3845Many reports suggest that male reproductive health has deteriorated over the last decades, possibly due to environmental contaminants that act as endocrine disruptors. This hypothesis was tested in Sprague-Dawley rats using a modified Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development 415 one-generation test. Group A received cottonseed oil as control, and Groups B, C and D received deltamethrin (DM); DM and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT); and DM, DDT, phytoestrogens and p-nonylphenol, respectively. Rats were exposed in utero and then received the substances for 10 weeks. The seminal vesicle mass (Group B; P = 0.046) and sperm count [Groups C (P = 0.013) and D (P = 0.003)] were lower and the anogenital distance [Group B (P = 0.047) C (P = 0.045) and D (P = 0.002)] shorter compared with the control group. The seminiferous tubule diameter [Groups B (P = <0.001), C (P = <0.001) and D (P = <0.001)] and epithelium thickness [Groups B (P = 0.030), C (P = <0.001) and D (P = <0.001)] were smaller compared with the control. The histology of the testes showed signs of apical sloughing and vacuolisation. Liver weights [Groups C (P = 0.013) and D (P = 0.005)] and liver enzymes [Group D (P = 0.013)] were also affected. These findings may indicate that simultaneous exposure to endocrine disrupting compounds contributes to the deterioration observed in male reproductive health.581815 bytesapplication/pdfenBlackwell. The definitive version is available at www.blackwell-synergy.comMale reproductive healthEnvironmental contaminantsEndocrine disruptorsRatsSprague Dawley ratsDDT (Insecticide) -- Physiological effectPhytoestrogensGenerative organs, MaleInfertility, MaleEnvironmental toxicologyPostprint Article