Drooid Logo
Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Prenatal DEHP Exposure Causes Adult Male Rat Anxiety

6/19/2026

44 8 Full Breakdown

1 of 1

Story summary
  • At ENDO 2026 in Chicago, researchers reported that DEHP-exposed male rats showed increased adult anxiety.
  • Pregnant rats received daily DEHP from conception to weaning, after which their 70-day-old male offspring tested on a plus maze spent less time in open arms, more in closed arms, and froze more.
  • A GABA agonist or testosterone given before testing reduced anxiety behaviors, showing reversal of DEHP-induced neuroendocrine changes, Professor Osvaldo Juan Ponzo said.