Behavioral effects of pre- and postnatal exposure to individual polychlorinated biphenyl congeners in rats

Journal Article · Thu Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1995 · Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5620140607· OSTI ID:64550

Holene, E; Bernhoft, A; Engen, P ^[1]; Nafstad, I ^[1]; Skaare, J U ^[1]; Sagvolden, T ^[2]

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1. Norwegian College of Veterinary Medicine, Oslo (Norway). Dept. of Pharmacology, Microbiology and Food Hygiene
2. Univ. of Oslo (Norway)

Rats were exposed in utero and through mother`s milk either to the coplanar PCB congener 3,3{prime},4,4{prime},5-CB (IUPAC no. 126) or to the mono-ortho-substituted PCB congener 2,3{prime},4,4{prime},5-CB (IUPAC no. 118). The different groups of mothers were exposed to 1 and 5 mg/kg body weight of PCB 118, and 2 {mu}g/kg b.w. of PCB 126 every second day from day 10 to day 20 of gestation. The exposure did not affect the body weight of the dams or the size, weight, sex ratio, or physical development of the offspring. Operant behavioral testing revealed that the PCB-exposed offspring showed both poorer visual discrimination and higher activity level than did the controls. The coplanar PCB 126 congener was the most potent treatment. These results show that both PCB 118 and PCB 126 produced significant neurotoxic effects in the offspring of exposed females in absence of clinical maternotoxic and fetotoxic effects.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 64550
• Journal Information: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Journal Name: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 14; ISSN ETOCDK; ISSN 0730-7268
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
BIOLOGICAL MODELS
NERVOUS SYSTEM
NERVOUS SYSTEM DISEASES
POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS
SENSITIVITY
TOXICITY