Objective:To evaluate the differential expression of Akt signaling pathway in the genital tubercle(GT) of hypospadiac Spraque-Dawley rats induced by maternal exposure to dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and the control rats in order to further explore the mechanism of hypospadias. Methods: Twenty pregnant rats were randomly divided into two groups and administered with DBP at a dosage of 800 mg/kg or soybean oil intragastrically from gestation day (GD)14 to GD18. On GD19,the expression of Akt signaling pathway was analyzed by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Results:The expression of phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt),Akt and NF-κB had statistical difference between hypospadiac fetal rats and control (P < 0.05). The p-Akt was mainly located in the cytoplasm of epithelium; the staining intensity in the hypospadiac fetal rats was stronger than that in the control rats. Conclusion:Maternal exposure to DBP could increase the expression of Akt signaling pathway in GT epithelium,affect cellular proliferation,apoptosis and urethral fold fusion,and then result in the occurrence of hypospadias.