Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) is an environmental pollutant, widely used as a plasticizer in various products including plastics and cosmetics. Previous studies have revealed that DBP has potential reproductive toxicity in animals and humans. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of DBP on histological, heamatological and reproductive markers in adult male rabbits. Thus, 24 adult male rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus were divided into four groups. DBP was administered to each group by gavage at doses of 0 (control), 250, 500 and 750 mg/kg/day for a period of 4 weeks. The results revealed a significant reduction in the weight of testes, epididymis and also in the number, speed, mobility and vitality of sperm, accompanied with a significant decrease in morphological changes of flagellum in the treated groups compared to control group. Moreover, a significant decline was observed in the mean of red blood cells counts, haematocrit and hemoglobin in all treated groups compared to the control. The DBP has decreased the level of testosterone and caused histological alterations in the seminiferous epithelium and the epididymal tubules. In conclusion, DBP exposure disturbed reproduction of adult male rabbits, which was dose-dependent.
