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EFFECTS FROM GESTATIONAL EXPOSURE TO A MIXTURE OF ATRAZINE AND ITS BIOLOGICAL METABOLITES IN MALE LONG EVANS RATS
Citation:
Enoch, R. R., S. N. Greiner, G. L. Youngblood, C C. Davis, AND S E. Fenton. EFFECTS FROM GESTATIONAL EXPOSURE TO A MIXTURE OF ATRAZINE AND ITS BIOLOGICAL METABOLITES IN MALE LONG EVANS RATS. Presented at Society of Toxicology, Salt Lake City, UT, March 09 - 13, 2003.
Description:
TITLE: EFFECTS FROM GESTATIONAL EXPOSURE TO A MIXTURE OF ATRAZINE AND ITS BIOLOGICAL METABOLITES IN MALE LONG EVANS RATS.
Rolondo R. Enoch2, Sara N. Greiner 1, Geri L. Youngblood 1, Christine C. Davis 1, and Suzanne E. Fenton 1
1 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, ORD, Reproductive Toxicology Division, Research Triangle Park, NC and 2 North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC.
ABSTRACT:
In order to characterize the potential developmental effects of atrazine (ATR) metabolites, we 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 published maximum ATR and metabolite concentrations in ground and surface water (estimated at 25 ppb, 1X). Pregnant Long Evans rats (N>8/dose) were gavaged with 0, 0.09, 0.9 or 8.729 mg/kg/d EBM on gestation days 15-19. These doses were based on estimated adult consumption and were 100, 1000, or 10000X, the 1X basis of total chlorotriazines. In male offspring, body weight (BW) did not differ by treatment on PND4, 21, or 120. Preputial separation (PPS) in controls occurred on PND 41.90.4, and EBM PPS was statistically delayed (means ranged from PND 43.00.5 to 43.60.7; P=0.05). BW at PPS of EBM-exposed males (range of means 238.6 5 to 254.1 6) was greater than control males (223.65.2g; P<0.01). At PND 120, EBM exposed males exhibited a dose-dependent increase in anterior pituitary gland weight when compared to controls (range of means 10.60.2 to 11.30.4 vs. 9.30.7mg; P<0.001). There was a dose-dependent decrease in ventral prostate weight due to EBM exposure (range of means 41020 to 380 20 vs. 45020mg; P=0.01), although the lateral prostate, testes, and seminal vesicle weights were unaffected when compared with controls. Also at PND 120, the EBM-exposed males (range of means 45.67.7 to 47.95.5 ng/ml) displayed a significant increase in serum estrone vs. control (28.9 2.5 ng/ml; P<0.01). Concentrations of serum and pituitary prolactin, serum estradiol, testosterone, and thyroid stimulating hormone were not different among dose groups. These data suggest that EBM delayed puberty without effect on body weight, and was capable of altering endocrine and reproductive tract endpoints. (This is an abstract of a proposed presentation and does not necessarily reflect EPA policy. Supported by NHEERL Minority Training Agreement).