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Peroxisomes in the rat brain and the effects of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate during postnatal development. An

A S Dabholkar1

  • 1Department of Biological Sciences, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio.

Acta Anatomica
|January 1, 1988
PubMed

Insights

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) exposure in nursing rats can lead to peroxisome proliferation in developing neurons. This suggests plasticizers transferred via maternal milk impact neuronal development.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Toxicology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Peroxisomes are vital organelles involved in various metabolic processes.
  • Plasticizers, such as di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), are common environmental contaminants.
  • Understanding the impact of maternal exposure to DEHP on offspring development is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and effects of DEHP on neuronal peroxisomes in developing rats.
  • To determine if DEHP transferred through maternal milk can induce peroxisomal changes in the offspring's brain.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized suckling rats (12-day-old) from mothers fed either a normal diet or a diet supplemented with DEHP.
  • Examined neurons in the cerebral cortex for the presence and characteristics of peroxisomes.

Main Results:

  • Peroxisomes were identified in the cerebral cortex neurons of both control and DEHP-exposed rat pups.
  • The findings suggest DEHP exposure may influence peroxisome formation or activity in developing neurons.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal exposure to DEHP can result in its transfer to offspring via breast milk.
  • DEHP transferred through maternal milk may induce peroxisomal proliferation in the neurons of developing rats, impacting neurodevelopment.

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Peroxisomes

Peroxisomes are specialized organelles present in fungi, plant, and animal cells. It can vary in number, size, morphology, and activity depending on the type of tissue and the nutritional state of the cell. For example, cells with active lipid metabolism, such as adipocytes, neurons, and hepatocytes, have more peroxisomes than other cells in the body. Besides their primary role in breaking down complex organic molecules, peroxisomes can also synthesize specific macromolecules and participate in...