You are here:
Neurotoxicity and Immunotoxicity Outcomes following Gestational Exposure to Four Lab Drinking Water Concentrates
Citation:
LUEBKE, R. W., C. B. COPELAND, J. DEWITT, M. G. NAROTSKY, P. PHILLIPS, J. G. PRESSMAN, J. E. SIMMONS, AND V. C. MOSER. Neurotoxicity and Immunotoxicity Outcomes following Gestational Exposure to Four Lab Drinking Water Concentrates. Presented at Toxicology and Risk Assessment Conference, West Chester, OH, April 15 - 16, 2008.
Impact/Purpose:
To evaluate whether developmental exposure to drinking water concentrates altered other endpoints, standard neuro- and immunotoxicity tests were conducted on the offspring.
Description:
To evaluate whether developmental exposure to drinking water concentrates altered other endpoints, standard neuro- and immunotoxicity tests were conducted on the offspring. Male and female offspring (10/sex/treatment) exposed to chlorinated concentrated water (CCW) or reverse osmosis purified deionized water (RODI) from GD0-PND21 were evaluated for neurobehavioral alterations using motor activity and a battery of functional and observational measures. On PND27 and PND41, activity testing occurred during one-hour sessions. On PND62, these rats were tested with a full functional observational battery (FOB) followed by activity testing. The results indicated treatment-related but small increase in motor activity and decrease in hindlimb grip strength; these changes were statistically significant in both sexes and across days of activity testing. Thus, exposure to concentrated DBPs during gestation and lactation produces marginal but significant neurological outcomes in adult offspring. Antibody and cell mediated immune responses were evaluated in male and female offspring (6/sex/treatment) continuously exposed to CCW or RODI through PND47 (antibody) or PND49 (cellular immunity), and in a subgroup of RODI-exposed and control female offspring maintained on RODI after weaning (“recovery” groups). Primary (IgM) and recall (IgG) antibody responses to a standard antigen (sheep erythrocytes) were evaluated by measuring serum antibody titers; cellular immunity was evaluated by measuring the delayed hypersensitivity response to bovine serum albumin. No significant differences were detected in antibody and cell mediated immune responses between CCW and control groups.