Genotoxic effects of diethyl phthalate on the non-specific immune function of carp

Carp were exposed to different diethyl phthalate (DEP) solutions to investigate the effects of DEP on the non-specific immune function and genotoxicity in carp. The serum antibacterial activity in the 0.125, 0.5, 2 and 8 mg/L DEP groups, as well as the phagocytic activity and phagocytic indexes of the 0.5, 2 and 8 mg/L DEP groups were significantly or extremely decreased (p<0.05 or p<0.01). The DPC coefficient of the liver cells was also significantly higher than those of the controls (p<0.01). Therefore, higher DEP concentrations significantly reduce the non-specific immune function of carp and DEP is strongly genotoxic.