EFFECT OF DI-(2-ETHYLHEXYL) PHTHALATE (DEHP) EXPOSURE ON MICROARCHITECTURE OF FEMORAL BONE IN MALE LABORATORY MOUSE: PRELIMINARY RESULTS

Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) is a toxic and hazardous endocrine disruptor with adverse effects on animal and human health. However, its impact on bone tissue has not been sufficiently investigated. Therefore, the purpose of our preliminary study was to examine the effects of DEHP on compact bone structure in two 57-days-old male mice. Daily oral administration of DEHP (4.5 mg/kg body weight dissolved in 500 µl of peanut oil per 15 days) was studied, compared to a control. We observed a significant effect of DEHP exposure on macroscopic bone characteristics. Similarly, we identified differences in qualitative characteristics, such as the presence of resorption lacunae and absence of non-vascular and primary vascular radial bone tissue near the endosteal border, compared to the control. On the contrary, quantitative analysis showed no demonstrable alterations in morphometric parameters. Our preliminary findings support the hypothesis about the negative impact of DEHP on bone tissue. However, further investigation is needed to understand this issue better and more precisely.