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Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants
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Developmental exposure to a commercial PBDE mixture, DE-71: neurobehavioral, hormonal, and reproductive effects

Prasada Rao S Kodavanti1, Cary G Coburn, Virginia C Moser

  • 1Neurotoxicology Branch, Toxicity Assessment Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, US EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, USA. kodavanti.prasada@epa.gov

Toxicological Sciences : an Official Journal of the Society of Toxicology
|April 9, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Perinatal exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) like DE-71 caused thyroid hormone disruption and subtle neurobehavioral changes in rat offspring. These developmental effects, including impacts on reproductive endpoints, highlight concerns about PBDEs

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Toxicology
  • Developmental Toxicology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are flame retardants with structural similarities to persistent organic pollutants like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
  • Previous research has raised concerns about potential developmental and endocrine-disrupting effects of PBDEs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the neurobehavioral, hormonal, and reproductive effects of perinatal exposure to a commercial PBDE mixture (DE-71) in Long-Evans rats.
  • To assess the accumulation and distribution of PBDE congeners in offspring tissues.

Main Methods:

  • Pregnant rats were exposed to DE-71 (0, 1.7, 10.2, or 30.6 mg/kg/day) from gestational day 6 to weaning.
  • Neurobehavioral tests, hormonal assays (thyroid hormones), reproductive assessments (anogenital distance, mammary gland development), and tissue congener analysis were performed.

Main Results:

  • DE-71 exposure caused significant hypothyroxinemia in dams and offspring.
  • Female offspring exhibited reduced body weight gain and altered mammary gland development.
  • Male offspring showed affected anogenital distance and preputial separation.
  • Subtle neurobehavioral changes were observed (dose-by-age interaction in open-field test rears).
  • PBDE congeners accumulated in tissues, crossing placental and blood-brain barriers.

Conclusions:

  • Perinatal DE-71 exposure induces significant thyroid disruption and reproductive alterations in rat offspring.
  • Observed effects, including neurobehavioral changes, are consistent with concerns about PBDEs as developmental toxicants.
  • PBDEs accumulate in tissues, underscoring their persistence and potential for long-term adverse effects.

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