• DEHP increased the frequency of micronuclei in the freshwater turtle Trachemys venusta peripheral blood erythrocytes. • DEHP increased the frequency of DNA strand breaks in the freshwater turtle Trachemys venusta peripheral blood erythrocytes. • High concentrations of DEHP reduced significatively body mass gain in Trachemys venusta . Di-2(ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a widely used phthalate frequently detected in aquatic environments and organisms. Studies on phthalates, mostly on model organisms, have left aside its effects on reptiles. We evaluated the genotoxic effects of DEHP in female juveniles of the freshwater Mesoamerican slider turtle Trachemys venusta comparing the number of micronucleus (MN) and nuclear abnormalities (NA), alkaline comet assays (Tail Intensity, %TI) and growth through body mass and straight carapace length (SCL) compared to a control group. After orally exposing the turtles to 0.25, 0.50, 1, and 5 mg/kg doses twice a week for 14 weeks, MN frequency increased significantly in a concentration-dependent manner at 0.25, 0.50, and 1 mg/kg (64.5±31.5 to 169.5±8.14) (p<0.01). In contrast, NA frequencies (lobulated, budded, notched nuclei (except at 0.25 mg/kg, p=0.008), binucleated and eccentric nuclei, did not differ significantly from the control group. The mean of %TI increased progressively in a concentration-effect response from 2.82±0.11 to 9.91±1.44 (p<0.001). Also, all turtles gained body mass and SCL over time, except for group 5 mg/kg which body mass gain was significantly lower during the experimental period (p=0.002). Our findings demonstrated that DEHP induces chromosomal damage and DNA strand breaks in peripheral blood erythrocytes of T. venusta , and at high concentrations, DEHP may also impair somatic body mass gain. This is the first evidence of the DEHP genotoxicity effects in freshwater turtles, highlighting the potential use of T. venusta as a model organism for evaluating emerging contaminants in aquatic ecosystems.
Tercero-Jalpa et al. (Fri,) studied this question.