Assessment of the endocrine-disrupting effects of diethyl phosphate, a nonspecific metabolite of organophosphorus pesticides, by in vivo and in silico approaches.

•Chronic DEP exposure caused thyroid hormone disorders in the serum of rats.•DEP led to abnormal expression of thyroid hormone-related genes in the rat liver.•DEP exposure did not affect serum sex hormone levels or sperm quality in rats.•DEP can interact with thyroid hormone-related enzymes/proteins in silico.•DEP may be a potential thyroid hormone-disrupting chemical.