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THE EFFECTS OF ATRAZINE METABOLITES ON PUBERTY IN THE MALE WISTAR RAT
Citation:
Guidici, D. L., R L. Cooper, AND T E. Stoker. THE EFFECTS OF ATRAZINE METABOLITES ON PUBERTY IN THE MALE WISTAR RAT. Presented at Society of Toxicology, San Francisco, CA, March 25 - 29, 2001.
Description:
The Effects of Atrazine Metabolites on Puberty in the Male Wistar Rat. D L Guidici, R L Cooper and T E Stoker. Endocrinology Branch, NHEERL, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, RTP, NC.
Sponsor: R J Kavlock.
Atrazine (ATR), a chlorotriazine herbicide, alters pubertal progression in male Wistar rats exposed according to the EDSTAC male pubertal protocol (juvenile to peripubertal). We hypothesized that similar exposure to ATR metabolites would also alter the development of the male rat reproductive system. Male Wistar rats were dosed from postnatal day (PND) 23 to 53 by oral gavage and examined for several reproductive endpoints. Doses of metabolites were selected as equimolar equivalents of previous studies. Dose levels were 2- amino-4-chloro-6-isopropylamino-s-triazine (ISO) (173.9, 86.8, 43.4, 21.7 or 10.8 mg/kg), 2-amino-4-chloro-6-ethylamino-s-triazine (CE) (160.9, 80.3, 40.1, 20.8 or 10.4 mg/kg), and diaaminochlorotriazine (DACT) (84.3, 50.6, 25.3, 12.7 and 6.3 mg/kg). Preputial separation was significantly delayed by ISO (21.7, 86.8 and 173.9 mg/kg), CE (20.8, 80.3 and 160.9 mg/kg) and DACT (12.7 through 84.3 mg/kg). Testes weights and serum testosterone were unaltered. ISO (86.7 and 173.9 mg/kg) and CE (40.1 through 160.9 mg/kg) significantly reduced ventral prostate (VP) weights. Seminal vesicle (SV) weights were reduced by ISO (21.7, 86.8 and 173.9 mg/kg) and CE (80.3 and 160.9 mg/kg). DACT had no effect on SV or VP weights. Epididymal and lateral prostate weights were unaffected by all but the highest dose of ISO. No differences were observed in any thyroid measures. These results indicate that the primary metabolites of ATR delay puberty in a manner similar to the delays seen in the previous atrazine study.
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