Objective To explore the effects of maternal exposure to dibutyl phthalate ( DBP) ,an environmental estrogen on the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells ( NSCs) in the neural tube of neonatal rats. Methods A total of 40 male and 40 female SD rates at age of 4 to 5 months,were matched,and the morning when vaginal plugs were found was designated as E0. Then the 40 pregnant rats were randomly divided into 4 groups,3 DBP exposure groups ( 25,75,and 225 mg/kg) and control group. DBP at corresponding doses were dissolved in corn oil,and administrated by intragastrically injection once per day from E0 till delivery,while those of control group were given corn oil. Brain tissue of newborn rats was collected for primary culture of NSCs. Then the cell colony formation was counted to detect the NSCs proliferation. Then 10% fetal bovine serum ( FBS) was added into the culture medium to induce the NSCS to differentiate. Neu-N and GFAP immunofluorescence stainings were used to detect neurons and astrocytes,and their morphological changes were observed. Results The proliferation of NSCs was decreased significantly after DBP administration. Compared with the control group ( 40. 53 ? 4. 65) % ,the colony formation rate of middle-and high-dose DBP exposure groups was significantly reduced and in a dose-dependent manner ( 30. 96 ? 3. 80) % ,( 15. 35 ?5. 29) %,( 6. 58 ?1. 43) %,P

Animals ; Mice ; Motor Neurons/physiology* ; Spinal Cord