Abstract： Objective:To explore the effect of tert-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ) on 3-chloro-1,2-propanediol (3-MCPD) in reproductive system development of male offspring rats.Methods:A total of 15 pregnant rats were randomized into three groups of control, 3-chloro-1, 2-propanediol (3-MCPD) and tBHQ intervention (3-MCPD+tBHQ). Except for control group, the other two groups received a daily dose of 3-MCPD (5.0 mg/kg) since the second trimester (7 days of gestation) and intervention group was fed with 1% tBHQ. After pregnant rats gave birth, male offsprings were taken for further feeding and anogenital distance and days of testicle descent recorded. Blood testosterone concentration was detected when young rats became sexually mature. Harvested post-decapitation, testis and epididymis were weighed. Sperm motility, spermatogenic epithelium and convoluted tubule in epididymis were observed by pathological section and BAX and BCL-2 proteins detected by Western blot.Results:Compared with control group, anogenital distance of male offspring mice shortened in 3-MCPD group [(5.3±0.4) vs (4.1±0.5) mm] ( P<0.001) and time of testicular descent was delayed [(17.5±1.69) vs (25.5±0.71) day, P<0.001]. Testicular organ index (testicular mass/rat mass) and epididymal organ index (epididymal mass/rat mass) declined ( P<0.001). Pathological examinations revealed damage of testicular spermatogenous epithelium and convoluted spermatogenous duct in 3-MCPD group. Western blot showed a rise of BAX and a decline of BCL-2. The detection indices of tBHQ group improved. Conclusion:tBHQ has protective effect on reproductive system development of male offspring rats dosed with 3-MCPD, indicating that tBHQ can antagonize the negative effect of 3-MCPD on reproductive system development.