Male rats exposed to a common plastic chemical early in life displayed higher anxiety levels as adults, researchers reported at a major medical meeting.
The findings come from a study presented at ENDO 2026 in Chicago. Pregnant rats received daily doses of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, or DEHP, from the start of pregnancy until their pups were weaned. When the male offspring reached 70 days old, they showed classic signs of anxiety in an elevated plus maze test, including reduced exploration of open areas and increased freezing behavior.
Osvaldo Juan Ponzo, a professor at the University of Buenos Aires School of Medicine, led the research. He noted that the behavioral changes persisted long after exposure ended. The effects could be reversed by treatment with GABA agonists or testosterone.
DEHP is widely used to make plastics more flexible and appears in medical devices, toys, and household goods. While the work involved rodents, the results point to possible long-term impacts on behavior from early-life contact with the chemical.
