Effects of pre- and postnatal exposure to 3,3[prime],4,4-[prime],5-pentachlorobiphenyl on physical development, neurobehavior and xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes in rats

Journal Article · Sat Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1994 · Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5620131007· OSTI ID:6868066

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

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1. Norwegian Coll. of Veterinary Medicine, Oslo (Norway)
2. Central Veterinary Lab., Oslo (Norway)

An experiment was conducted to study the effects of the coplanar non-ortho-chlorinated congener 3,3[prime],4,4[prime],5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB-126) in rats exposed during fetal development and postnatal suckling period. Two groups of eight dams were administered by gavage six doses of 10 and 20 [mu]g/kg body weight of PCB-126 dissolved in corn oil every second day from days 9 to 19 of gestation. The corresponding control rats were treated with corn oil only. The physical development of the offspring was observed. The effects of PCB-126 on hepatic xenobiotic metabolizing enzyme activities and the concentrations of PCB in the liver and brain were investigated in samples from pups of different age and from their mothers. The litter size, the body weights, and the survival of the exposed sucklings were reduced, and the onset of spontaneous movement and neuromuscular maturation were delayed, whereas the development of reflexes was not affected. The body weight was still reduced in a dose-related manner up to 18 weeks postpartum. Also, the postpartum body weight of the PCB-exposed mothers was reduced as compared to controls, but the difference disappeared at weaning. The hepatic enzyme activities of cytochrome P450 1A1 examined by ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) toward 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) were increased in both the exposed pups and their mothers, and the relative liver weight was increased in the exposed pups. Hepatic PCB-126 residues were detected in samples collected throughout the experiment, whereas no detectable concentration was found in the brain. The authors conclude that exposure of this PCB congener in utero and through lactation showed fetotoxic effects, delayed physical maturation, and induced liver xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes without causing neurobehavioral effects.

• OSTI ID: 6868066
• Journal Information: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry; (United States), Journal Name: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry; (United States) Vol. 13:10; ISSN 0730-7268; ISSN ETOCDK
• 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.
AROMATICS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL MODELS
CHLORINATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
DISTRIBUTION
ENZYME ACTIVITY
ENZYMES
HALOGENATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
METABOLISM
MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES
NERVOUS SYSTEM
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
OXIDOREDUCTASES
POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS
PROTEINS
SENSITIVITY
TISSUE DISTRIBUTION
TRANSFERASES