Dibutyl phthalate concentration-driven life history trade-offs in rotifers: From hormonal stimulation to oxidative collapse

Dibutyl phthalate (DBP), a prevalent industrial plasticizer, can infiltrate various aquatic environments due to plastic pollution. The current knowledge on the effects of DBP on marine micro-invertebrates is still relatively scarce. In this study, we investigated the ecological risks and toxicity mechanisms of 0-4.01 mg/L DBP on the marine rotifer Brachionus plicatilis at the population, individual, biochemical, and molecular levels. The 24 h-LC50 value of DBP against B. plicatilis is 8.02 mg/L, indicating significant ecological risks DBP poses. Furthermore, DBP exposure led to reduced individual and egg size, increased offspring production, extended lifespan, and altered feeding behavior in rotifers. Faster growth of rotifer populations in the 0.80 mg/L DBP-exposed group. This suggests DBP may significantly influence the stability of zooplankton community structures at lower concentrations (≤ 0.80 mg/L). DBP at 4.01 mg/L resulted in a significant decrease in the feeding rate of rotifers and caused glutathione cycle activation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and neurological damage at the molecular level. These findings suggest that prolonged exposure to high levels of DBP adversely affects rotifers, ultimately leading to a slowdown in population growth. Moreover, DBP regulates nitric oxide production by binding to estrogen receptors, ultimately affecting rotifers' reproductive capacity. This study highlights the impact of endocrine disruptors on the survival and reproduction of marine invertebrates.