Exposure to environmentally relevant phthalate mixture during pregnancy alters the physical and hemato-biochemical parameters in Black Bengal goats

Several environmental pollutants, mostly chemicals and plasticizers, have an effect on the reproduction of small ruminants, causing abortion, delayed estrus, and decreased fertility. Phthalates are common in our environment and have been identified as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). The research work investigated the impact of dietary exposure to a phthalate mixture on physical and hemato-biochemical parameters in pregnant Black Bengal (BB) goats. A total of 20 clinically healthy, 1–2 months pregnant, aged 6–8 months with a body weight of 10–12 kg BB goats were collected and divided into two (n = 10) groups. The treatment group received a standard goat ration with a combination of different phthalates mixture while the control group was provided the same ration with the vehicle of aphthalatemixture until parturition. The physical parameters were measured with appropriate tools and blood samples were collected for hemato-biochemical tests. The results showed that the physiological parameters (body condition score, respiration rate and heart rate) were significantly (P