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EFFECTS OF PERFLUOROOCTANOIC ACID EXPOSURE DURING PREGNANCY IN THE MOUSE
Citation:
Lau, C S., J R. Thibodeaux, R. G. Hanson, AND J M. Rogers. EFFECTS OF PERFLUOROOCTANOIC ACID EXPOSURE DURING PREGNANCY IN THE MOUSE. Presented at Teratology Society Meeting, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, June 26 - July 1, 2004.
Description:
Title:
Effects Of Perfluorooctanoic Acid Exposure During Pregnancy In The Mouse
Authors & affiliations:
Lau, C., J.R. Thibodeaux*, R.G. Hanson* and J.M. Rogers. Reproductive Toxicology Division, NHEERL, ORD, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC
Abstract:
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a member of the perfluoroalkyl acids that have wide commercial applications, has recently been detected in humans and wildlife. The current study characterizes the developmental toxicity of PFOA in the mouse. CD-1 mice were mated overnight and the day on which copulatory plugs were found was designated as GD 0. Animals were divided into 5 groups and were given 5, 10, 20 or 40 mg/kg PFOA by oral gavage daily beginning at GD1 until GD 17; controls received an equivalent volume (10 ml/kg) of water. PFOA treatment during gestation produced full-litter resorptions in a dose-dependent manner, leading to 100% loss in the 40 mg/kg group. When maternal weight gains were determined in dams that were able to carry a successful pregnancy to term, significant deficits were detected in the 20 mg/kg group. At GD 18, mice from each group were subdivided: (A) some dams were sacrificed for maternal and fetal examinations, and (B) the rest were allowed to give birth, and postnatal survival, growth and development of the pups were monitored. With group A mice, PFOA induced enlarged liver in the dams at all doses, but did not alter number of implantations. The percent of live fetuses was reduced in the 20 mg/kg group to 74% (compared to 94% in controls), and the average fetal weight (0.85 ? 0.11 g) was also significantly lower (1.07 ? 0.02 g for controls). However, no discernable external malformations were noted in any of the treatment groups. With group B mice, the incidence of live birth was significantly lowered by PFOA: 70% for the 20 mg/kg group compared to 96% for controls. Postnatal survival of the neonates was severely compromised in mice exposed to 10 or 20 mg/kg. Dose-dependent deficits of weight gains were detected in all PFOA-treated pups. Significant delays in eye-opening (by about 2 days) were noted in the 10 and 20 mg/kg groups, although their pubertal indices were not significantly different from controls. These data indicate maternal and developmental toxicities of PFOA in the mouse, leading to early pregnancy loss, compromised postnatal survival and delays in postnatal growth and maturation. This abstract does not reflect U.S. EPA policy.