Neurotoxicity of dibutyl phthalate in brain development following perinatal exposure: A study in rats

•Perinatal exposure of DBP induced neurotoxicity in neonatal and immature rats.•DBP exposure induced cell apoptosis in hippocampal neurons of these animals.•DBP exposure decreased the expression of synaptophysin in the hippocampus.•DBP exposure reduced both the slope and amplitude of fEPSPs.•Perinatal exposure of DBP had no influence on mature animals after DBP withdrawal.