Mechanism of testicular atrophy induced by di-n-butyl phthalate in rats. Part 4. Changes in the activity of succinate dehydrogenase and the levels of transferrin and ferritin in the Sertoli and germ cells.

A single oral dose of di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) to male rats caused a sloughing of the germ cells at 6 h both with a decrease in the activity of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) in the Sertoli cells and in the Sertoli-germ connection and with an increase in the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the germ cells. Increases in transferrin (Tf) concentrations were observed in the Sertoli cells, Sertoli-germ connection, epididymis-ductus deferens and liver of rats. Decreases in Tf and ferritin (Ft) levels were observed in the seminal vesicle and seminiferous lumen, respectively. An increase in favin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) level was found in the interstitial cells.