You are here:
Effects of Perfluorinated Phosphonic Acid Exposure during pregnancy in the mouse
Citation:
Tatum, K. R., K. DAS, B. E. GREY, AND C. LAU. Effects of Perfluorinated Phosphonic Acid Exposure during pregnancy in the mouse. Presented at Society of Toxicology (SOT) Annual meeting, Washington, DC, March 06 - 10, 2011.
Impact/Purpose:
The current study examined the developmental effects of PFPA in the mouse.
Description:
Perfluorinated phosphonic acids (PFPAs) are a member of the perfluoroalkyl acid (PFAA) family, and are structurally similar to the perfluoroalkyl sulfonates and perfluoroalkyl carboxylates. These chemicals have recently been detected in the environment, particularly in surface water and in effluent of wastewater treatment plants. PFPAs are used primarily as a surfactant defoaming agent in the textile industry and in pesticide production. Previous studies from our laboratory have identified developmental toxicity associated with gestational exposure to perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), but little is known about this emerging class of perfluorinated chemicals and the potential human risks. Therefore, the current study examined the developmental effects of PFPA in the mouse. A mixture of PFPAs (Masurf-780) was given to timed-pregnant CD-1 mice by oral gavage daily throughout gestation (GD 1-17) at doses of 5, 10, 20, 30 or 40 mg/kg; controls received deionized water vehicle. PFPA did not alter maternal weight gain, but significantly increased maternal liver weight at term (GD-17) at all dose groups. Recovery in maternal liver weight was observed by weaning (PND 21). Chemical exposure did not influence the number of live fetuses or fetus weights at GD-17, except in the 40 mg/kg group where mortality was observed. In contrast, fetal liver weight was significantly increased at doses greater than 5 mg/kg. Neonatal survival and growth was monitored on postnatal days 1-42 and were generally not altered except in the 40 mg/kg group, where the increase in neonatal liver weight persisted. These data suggest that gestational exposure to PFPA at doses less than 40 mg/kg does not compromise neonatal survival and postnatal growth as seen with PFOS and PFOA, while the hepatic effects appear to be similar among these chemicals. This abstract does not necessarily reflect U.S. EPA policy.