Di-(2-ethylhexyl) - phthalate (DEHP) is widely spread environmental contaminants because of its use in plastics and other materials that have many versatile uses in industry, medicine and common consumer products. This study was conducted on fetuses at 20th day of gestations .The pregnant female were arranged in five groups; Control group (C) treated by corn oil; G1 treated by low dose (0.05 ml/kg; 1/600 of LD50) of DEHP dissolved in corn oil at (1st -7th ) day of pregnancy; G2 treated by high dose (0.1 ml/kg; 1/300 of LD50) of DEHP dissolved in corn oil at (1st -7th) day of Pregnancy; G3 treated by low dose of DEHP dissolved in corn oil at (8th -20th) day of Pregnancy; G4 treated by high dose of DEHP dissolved in corn oil at (8th -20th) day of Pregnancy. At the 20th day of gestation, the uteri were removed by cesarean sections and fetuses were collected The results of the present study showed that oral administration of DEHP with low dose and high dose were caused toxic effects to the pregnant mice and their fetuses of 20th day of gestation. These effects are summarized as; decrease the body weight, uterine weight and carcass weight of pregnant mice. In addition to, decrease the body weight, length and numbers of alive and dead fetuses at 20th day of gestation. DEHP treatments “G1, G2, G3 and G4” caused growth retardation and circulatory disorders in the form of hematoma in different parts of the fetal body of 20th day of gestation. It has been found that DEHP (low & high doses) caused variable deformities in some elements of the examined skeletal system and absent ossification of some parts of the components of the skeleton, retarded ossification of some bones and shortness of others. Skull, vertebrae, sternum, girdles and limbs were the main affected organelles by DEHP. |
