Opposite effects of high- and low-dose di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) exposure on puberty onset, oestrous cycle regularity and hypothalamic kisspeptin expression in female rats

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is ubiquitous in the environment and has been proposed to lead to reproductive disruption. In this study, we systematically investigated the effects of different doses of DEHP exposure on female hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis development. Female Sprague–Dawley rats were gavaged with vehicle (corn oil) or DEHP (5 or 500mgkg–1 day–1) during postnatal Days (PNDs) 22–28 or PNDs 22–70. Results demonstrated that...