Impact of dibutyl phthalate and benzyl butyl phthalate on motility parameters of sperm [RESEARCH ARTICLE]

Abstract

The present study was the first attempt to evaluate the impact of dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) at concentrations of 100, 1000, and 10000 µg DBP dm^-3 and 20, 200, and 2000 µg BBP dm^-3 on the motility parameters of the sperm of European pikeperch, Sander lucioperca (L.), using computer assisted sperm analysis (CASA). The in vitro studies were conducted in the seminal plasma, which is the natural environment of the sperm, using two methods. The first was with the immediate activation of sperm movement in the presence of phthalates (0 h), while the second utilized phthalate incubation for 4, 24, and 48 h. It was confirmed that none of the compounds analyzed had a significant impact on the percentage of motile sperm (MOT), average path velocity (VAP), curvilinear velocity (VCL), straight line velocity (VSL), or amplitude of lateral sperm head displacement (ALH) (P > 0.05). It is plausible that in natural aquatic ecosystems, neither dibutyl phthalate nor benzyl butyl phthalate will affect motility of fish sperm at external fertilization event. It is necessary to track in vivo the impact these compounds have in concentrations similar to existing in the natural environment on the fish sperm quality.

CORRESPONDING AUTHOR:

S. Jarmołowicz [+], Z. Zakęś
Department of Aquaculture
The Stanisław Sakowicz Inland Fisheries Institute in Olsztyn
Oczapowskiego 10, 10-719 Olsztyn-Kortowo, Poland
Tel. +48 89 5241027, e-mail: jarmolowicz@infish.com.pl
K. Demska-Zakęś
Department of Ichthyology
University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland
R. Kowalski, B.I. Cejko, J. Glogowski,
Department of Gamete and Embryo Biology
Polish Academy of Sciences, Olsztyn, Poland