Endocrine disruptors (EDs) are exogenous compounds present worldwide. Endocrine hormone production, release, transport, binding, action or elimination is enhanced or interrupted by EDs and hence affect homeostasis, development, reproduction and behavior of organisms. Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) is one of the most important EDs used extensively in consumer products such as plasticizers, nail polish, paints, thermal paper and water pipes. DBP binds to estrogen receptors and enhance or interrupt the endocrine system. DBP have negative effects on bone health and serum minerals in rats. A total of 48 adult rats were divided in three main groups i.e. (16 rats in each group). Each group was sub-divided into male (8 rats) and female (8rats). Control Group: Basal rat diet was provided to control group. Group A: DBP 10mg/kg body weight daily along with basal rat diet was given to group A. DBP was dissolved in 10 % ethanol and was diluted with distilled water. Group B: DBP 50mg/kg body weight daily along with basal rat diet was given to Group B. DBP was dissolved in 10 % ethanol and was diluted with distilled water. Trial duration was 3 months and at the end rats were killed to obtain the bones, serum and muscles to observe their bone characteristics (bone length, width, and medullary canal diameter) and minerals (Zn, Fe, Cu and Ca) analysis. Data was analyzed using two-way ANOVA through SPSS version (SPSS Inc. version 20, Chicago, Illinois) and was presented as mean± SEM.
Femur bone length was found to be significantly higher in male rats treated with DBP 10mg/kg and 50mg/kg compared to control. The femur bone length was not affected in female rats. Rest of the parameters in bone health of tibia and femur were not affected by treatment. Bone minerals (Ca, Cu, Fe, and Zn) were also not affected by the treatment irrespective of treatments. Serum calcium was significantly higher in male rates treated with 50mg/kg DBP
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compared to control; whereas it is decreased significantly in female rats treated with 50mg/kg DBP compared to control. Serum zinc concentrations also decreased significantly in female rats treated with DBP 50mg/kg compared to control. Muscle copper concentration was significantly higher in male rats treated with 50mg/kg DBP compared to control. Iron muscle concentration was significantly increased in male and female rats treated with 50mg/kg DBP compared to control. Muscle calcium concentration was significantly decreased in male rats treated with 50mg/kg DBP compared to control.