In utero and lactational exposure of DEHP increases the susceptibility of prostate carcinogenesis in male offspring through PSCA hypomethylation.

•The in utero and lactational DEHP exposure rat model was constructed by treating the pregnant rats with corn oil or DEHP at 0.01, 0.1 and 1 mg/kg BW/day from GD7 to PND21.•In utero and lactational exposure to DEHP significantly increased the mRNA expression of GSTP1, PSCA and PTGS2 in a dose-dependent manner on PND21.•Early life mRNA expression of GSTP1, PSCA and PTGS2 induced by DEHP might be tightly linked with prostate carcinogenesis in adulthood.•In utero and lactational exposures to DEHP induced hypomethylation of PSCA gene in early life, and it may be a predisposing factor for prostate carcinogenesis as rat aged.