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Updated: Jul 8, 2026
Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants
Published on: March 6, 2018
Acute postnatal exposure to brominated diphenylether 47 delays neuromotor ontogeny and alters motor activity in mice
1Neurotoxicology Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA.
Insights
Acute exposure to BDE 47, a flame retardant, during development caused subtle neuromotor changes in mice. These changes led to altered adult motor activity, particularly hyperactivity at four months.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Toxicology
- Developmental Neuroscience
Background:
- Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are prevalent environmental contaminants.
- PBDEs, including BDE 47, are associated with potential developmental toxicity in animal models.
- Human accumulation of BDE 47 suggests widespread exposure and concern.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of a single oral dose of BDE 47 on male mouse development.
- To assess neurobehavioral endpoints related to sensory and motor maturation following perinatal BDE 47 exposure.
- To evaluate long-term impacts on motor activity in adult mice.
Main Methods:
- Male C57BL/6 mice received a single oral dose of BDE 47 (0, 1, 10, or 30 mg/kg) on postnatal day 10.
- Developmental milestones and sensory responses were monitored on specific postnatal days.
- Motor activity was assessed at 2 and 4 months of age.
Main Results:
- BDE 47 exposure, especially at higher doses, increased body weight from PND 47 onwards.
- Altered neuromotor development was observed in some measures, but sensory development remained unaffected.
- Significant hyperactivity was noted in BDE 47-exposed mice at 4 months of age.
Conclusions:
- Acute perinatal BDE 47 exposure can induce subtle neurodevelopmental alterations in mice.
- These alterations may manifest as changes in motor activity and behavior in adulthood.
- The findings highlight potential risks of PBDEs to neurodevelopmental trajectories.
Abstract:
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are widely used commercial flame retardants that are accumulating in the environment. PBDEs may interfere with the development of key biological systems, thus leaving children vulnerable to functional impairments in adulthood. There is a growing literature of animal studies that show subtle changes in motor and cognitive function following acute or repeated perinatal exposure to PBDEs. 2,2',4,4'-Brominated diphenyl ether (BDE 47), a very stable PBDE congener, has been shown to accumulate in humans, perhaps as a breakdown product of other PBDEs. The current study examined developmental milestones in male C57BL/6 mice exposed to a single oral dose of BDE 47 (0, 1, 10, or 30 mg/kg) on postnatal day (PND) 10. Behavioral endpoints assessing sensory and motor maturation were examined on PNDs 12, 14, 16, 18, 32, and 88. Motor activity was also examined at 2 and 4 months in a separate group of mice. BDE 47 exposure (particularly the highest dose) significantly increased body weight on PND 47 and thereafter. There was altered ontogeny in a few measures of neuromotor development; however, other developmental milestones and sensory responses were not altered. Motor activity was altered at both 2 and 4 months, with BDE 47-treated mice (all dose groups) displaying pronounced hyperactivity at 4 months. These data indicate that acute exposure to BDE 47 during postnatal development may produce subtle changes in the development of neuromotor systems that may alter adult behavior.
