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EFFECTS FROM GESTATIONAL EXPOSURE TO A MIXTURE OF ATRAZINE AND ITS METABOLITES IN MALE LONG EVANS RATS
Citation:
Fenton, S E., G. L. Youngblood, S. N. Greiner, AND C C. Davis. EFFECTS FROM GESTATIONAL EXPOSURE TO A MIXTURE OF ATRAZINE AND ITS METABOLITES IN MALE LONG EVANS RATS. Presented at Society for the Study of Reproduction, Baltimore, MD, July 28-31, 2002.
Description:
TITLE: EFFECTS FROM GESTATIONAL EXPOSURE TO A MIXTURE OF ATRAZINE AND IT'S BIOLOGICAL METABOLITES IN MALE LONG EVANS RATS. Suzanne E. Fenton 1, Sara N. Greiner 1, Geri L. Youngblood 1 and Christine C. Davis 1
1 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Reproductive Toxicology Division, Research Triangle Park, NC ;
ABSTRACT:
In order to characterize the potential endocrine effects of atrazine (ATR) metabolites, we created and tested an environmentally-based mixture (EBM) of ATR (25%), and its metabolites hydroxyatrazine (20%), diaminochlorotriazine (35%), deethyl atrazine (15%) and deisopropyl atrazine (5%) based on combined maximum ATR and metabolite concentrations detected in ground and surface water (estimated at 25 ppb, 1X) and reported in the literature. Pregnant Long Evans rats in one of 7 dose groups were gavaged with 0 or 0.044 to 8.729 mg/kg/d EBM on gestation days 15-19. These doses were based on estimated adult consumption and were 50, 100, 500, 1000, 5000, or 10000X, the 1X basis of total chlorotriazines. In male offspring, body weight (BW) was not significantly different on PND4, 21, or 120. Preputial separation (PPS) in controls occurred on PND 41.90.4, and EBM PPS was not statistically different from controls (means ranged from PND 42.40.7 to 44.20.6). BW at PPS for the 100X (258.312.7g, P=0.03) and 500X (257.98.5g, P=0.005) EBM-exposed males was greater than control at PPS (223.65.2g). At PND 120, the males exposed to 100, 1000 and 10,000X EBM had significantly larger anterior pituitary glands than control (9.40.4mg, dosed=11.70.8, 12.80.4, and 10.80.3mg, respectively). The ventral prostate was smaller in the 5000 and 10,000X group (36123 and 39029mg) when compared to controls (45120mg; P<0.05). A subset of animals tested displayed dose-dependent increases in serum testosterone (0.240.02, 0.660.02, 1.080.04, and 2.170.13 ng/ml at 0, 50, 500, and 5000X, P<0.001). Concentrations of serum and pituitary prolactin, serum estradiol, and serum TSH were not different among dose groups. Interestingly, there was a dose-dependent increase in incidence of lipomatous masses nested in epididymal fat pads of these males (P<0.0001). Lateral prostate inflammation was observed in several of the dose groups, however the incidence and severity remains to be quantified via histopathology and immunohistochemistry. These data suggest that although the EBM did not alter puberty or body weight, it was capable of altering endocrine and reproductive tract endpoints. (This abstract was reviewed in accordance with U.S. EPA policy). Keywords: atrazine, puberty, endocrine disruptor, prostate Original Category: Environment