Neurobehavioral and somatic effects of perinatal PCB exposure in rats

Journal Article · Thu Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987 · Environ. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0013-9351(87)80086-5· OSTI ID:5277323

Overmann, S R; Kostas, J; Wilson, L R; Shain, W; Bush, B

Developing rats were exposed to TCBs via provision of diets containing 0.02 (no PCB added), 2.4, 26, or 269 ppm Aroclor 1254 to sperm-positive female rats from mating to weaning of their pups. Provision of the 269 ppm diet decreased the number of impregnated rats that delivered a litter and lowered pup birth weight, and most pups died within 7 days of birth. Preweaning pup growth was reduced in the 26 ppm condition and slightly reduced in the 2.5 ppm condition. The ontogeny of negative geotaxis, auditory startle, and air righting was delayed in pups from the 26 ppm condition. Pups in the 2.5 ppm condition had slightly delayed development of auditory startle. Maximal electroshock seizure tests on postweaning rats showed that perinatal PCB exposure decreased seizure severity of both the 2.5 and 26 ppm groups. PCB exposure increased pup liver weights at birth and dam and pup liver weights at weaning. Spleen and thymus weights were lower in PCB-exposed pups, while brain weights were unaffected. Analytical determination of PCB levels in brain showed greater maternal transfer of PCBs during lactation than during gestation. Elevated PCB levels were detectable in brains of perinatally exposed adult rats.

• Research Organization: New York State Dept. of Health, Albany
• OSTI ID: 5277323
• Journal Information: Environ. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Res.; (United States) Vol. 44:1; ISSN ENVRA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMAL GROWTH
ANIMALS
AROMATICS
BEHAVIOR
BODY
BRAIN
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
CHLORINATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
FETAL MEMBRANES
GLANDS
GROWTH
HALOGENATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
INGESTION
INTAKE
MAMMALS
MAMMARY GLANDS
MEMBRANE TRANSPORT
MEMBRANES
NERVOUS SYSTEM
ONTOGENESIS
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PRENATAL EXPOSURE
RATS
REPRODUCTIVE DISORDERS
RODENTS
TOXICITY
VERTEBRATES