Gene expression profiling of germ cells by maternal exposure to Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

Exposure to environmental factors during fetal development lead epigenome modifications in fetal germ cells to alter gene expression and promotes diseases in successive generations. Maternal exposure to Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), a plasticizer widely used for the manufacturing of consumer products, induces defects in spermatogenesis in successive generations in mouse, but mechanisms of impaired spermatogenesis are unknown. In this study, investigated gene expression changes of germ cells in adult stage isolated by Hoechst staining and FACS after maternal exposure of Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). In spermatogonia, several genes involved in spermatogenesis were downregulated. This result suggests that maternal DEHP exposure affects gene expression levels of spermiogenesis-related genes.