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SERUM HORMONE CHARACTERIZATION AND EXOGENEOUS HORMONE RESCUE OF BROMODICHLOROMETHANE-INDUCED PREGNANCY LOSS IN THE F344 RAT
Citation:
Bielmeier, S. R., D S. Best, AND M G. Narotsky. SERUM HORMONE CHARACTERIZATION AND EXOGENEOUS HORMONE RESCUE OF BROMODICHLOROMETHANE-INDUCED PREGNANCY LOSS IN THE F344 RAT. TOXICOLOGICAL SCIENCES 77(1):101-108, (2004).
Description:
SERUM HORMONE CHARACTERIZATION AND EXOGENEOUS HORMONE RESCUE OF BROMODICHLOROMETHANE-INDUCED
PREGNANCY LOSS IN THE F344 RAT
Susan R. Bielmeier*, Deborah S. Best^, and Michael G. Narotsky^
ABSTRACT
Previously, we demonstrated that bromodichloromethane (BDCM), a drinking water disinfection by-product, causes pregnancy loss in F344 rats when given on gestational days (GD) 6-10, encompassing the luteinizing hormone (LH)-dependent period of pregnancy (GD 7-10). The pregnancy loss, i.e., full-litter resorption, was associated with reduced serum progesterone levels; however, we were unable to identify an effect on serum LH. Here, we re-evaluated serum LH levels using the more sensitive technique, DELFIA?. We further sought to better define the temporal pattern of endocrine disruption caused by BDCM during pregnancy with more frequent sampling. Lastly, we attempted to prevent BDCM-induced pregnancy loss using exogenous progesterone or human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), an LH-agonist. BDCM, in 10% AlkamulsO, was dosed at 75 mg/kg/d by gavage to F344 rats on GD 6-10 (plug day = GD 0). BDCM-induced pregnancy loss was associated with marked reductions in serum progesterone and LH on GD 10. The decrease in serum LH consistently preceded the decrease in progesterone. In the hormone replacement studies, BDCM and progesterone were administered on GD 6-10, hCG on GD 8-10. BDCM was delivered at 100 mg/kg/d, progesterone at 10 mg/kg twice daily, and hCG at 0.5IU/0.2/rat. Both progesterone and hCG prevented BDCM-induced pregnancy loss. Thus, BDCM-induced pregnancy loss was associated with marked GD-10 reductions in serum LH and corresponding decreases in progesterone. Furthermore, when an LH agonist was provided concurrently with BDCM the pregnancy loss was prevented, supporting the hypothesis that BDCM-induced pregnancy loss in the rat occurs via a LH-mediated mode of action.