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MATERNAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICITY OF PERFLUOROOCATANE SULFONATE (PFOS) IN THE RAT
Citation:
Lau, C S., J M. Rogers, J R. Thibodeaux, R. G. Hanson, B E. Grey, B D. Barbee, J H. Richards, AND J. L. Butenhoff. MATERNAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICITY OF PERFLUOROOCATANE SULFONATE (PFOS) IN THE RAT. Presented at Society of Toxicology, Nashville, TN, March 17-21, 2002.
Description:
MATERNAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICITY OF PERFLUOROOCTANE SULFONATE (PFOS) IN THE RAT. C. Lau1, J.M. Rogers1, J.R. Thibodeaux1, R.G. Hanson1, B.E. Grey1, B.D. Barbee1, J.H. Richards2, J.L. Butenoff3. 1Reprod. Tox. Div., 2Exp. Tox. Div., NHEERL, USEPA, Research Triangle Park, NC, 33M, Med. Dept, St. Paul, MN.
The maternal and developmental toxicity of PFOS, an environmentally persistent compound used as surfactants and insecticides, were evaluated. Timed-pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were given 1, 2, 3, 5, or 10 mg/kg/day PFOS/K+ by gavage on GD 2 through term. Controls received 0.5% Tween-20 vehicle (1 ml/kg). Some rats were killed on GD 21 for teratological examination, others were allowed to deliver, and postnatal growth and development were monitored. PFOS levels in serum and liver were determined. Maternal weight gain was suppressed by PFOS, likely due to reduced food and water intake. Serum cholesterol, triglycerides, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) in PFOS-treated dams were lower than those in controls, but TSH was not affected. PFOS did not alter the number of implantations or live fetuses at term, although small deficits in fetal weight were noted in the high dose groups. Cleft palate, anasarca, cardiac ventricular septal defect, and small/hemorrhagic lung were detected, primarily in the 10 mg/kg group. Live birth was observed in all groups; however, neonates in the 10 mg/kg group were moribund and died within 4-6 h. While newborns in the 5 mg/kg group appeared viable, >95% were found dead within 24 h; postnatal growth was retarded in the survivors. Cross-fostering of pups to control dams at birth did not improve the survival rate, nor adverse effect seen in control pups nursed by PFOS-exposed dams. Postnatal viability was greater in the lower dose groups and surviving neonates appeared to thrive, but mild hypothyroidism (only T4 reduction) and delays in eye opening were noted. These dose-dependent adverse effects will be compared to the body burdens of PFOS. Our results indicate both maternal and developmental toxicity of PFOS in the rat; while PFOS altered the thyroid status, this hormonal imbalance is not likely the sole contributor to neonatal mortality. This abstract does not reflect EPA policy.