L. Birnbaum, M. Harris, D. Crawford
Nov 1, 1987
Citations
0
Influential Citations
60
Citations
Quality indicators
Journal
Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology
Abstract
Abstract Polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) are highly toxic environmental contaminants which have been involved in several incidents of human poisoning. Two congeners, 2,3,4,7,8-pentachlorodibenzofuran (4-PeCDF) and 1,2,3,4,7,8-hexachlorodibenzofuran (HCDF), have been shown to persist in the tissues of victims of accidental ingestion from Japan and Taiwan. The teratogenicity of these compounds, both alone and in combination, was assessed in C57BL 6N mice. Pregnant mice were treated with 10 ml/kg corn oil containing no PCDFs, 4-PeCDF (0–30 μg/kg), HCDF (0–300 μ/kg), or a combination of the two on gestation Days 10–13, followed by necropsy on gestation Day 18. Maternal and fetal toxicity were assessed and selected soft tissues were examined for abnormalities. Both chemicals caused hydronephrosis and cleft palate in the absence of any overt toxicity. Hydronephrosis occurred at doses approximately fivefold lower than those causing cleft palate. The combination of 4-PeCDF and HCDF was additive for terata based on responses predicted by probit analysis. In addition, the combination of 2,3,4,5,3′,4′-hexachlorobiphenyl (0–60 mg/kg), a structurally related compound also present in PCDF poisoning victims, and 4-PeCDF appears additive. Thus, these chemicals, which cause toxic effects similar to those of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p -dioxin, are additive in the induction of fetal anomalies in the mouse.