An ecotoxicological study of a population of the white footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus) inhabiting a polychlorinated biphenyls-contaminated area

Abstract

White footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) inhabiting an area surrounding a pond (Tyler) contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and metals (Cadmium, Zinc, Copper) had whole body burdens of 0.42-4.17 ppm PCBs (mean 2.3 ppm) and animals from a comparison nonpolluted site (WCC) had no detectable PCBs. Males and females caught at the polluted site in the winter months were not significantly different in body weight or length when compared to WCC animals, but Tyler animals had significantly increased relative liver, kidney, spleen and adrenal weights. In the summer months, mostly males were caught at both Tyler and WCC sites. Tyler males were significantly lighter than WCC males, and had a significantly increased relative liver weight when compared to the males from the WCC site. In addition, the adult Tyler males had significantly lower relative testis weights. At Tyler there was a significantly smaller proportion of juveniles and subadults in the population than at WCC. Polychlorinated biphenyls levels in the adult Tyler males were significantly positively correlated with relative liver weight, but there were no significant correlations with any of the other structures measured. These results suggest that at the polluted site there is inhibition of reproduction and changes in liver, spleen, adrenal, and testis function.

Cellular immune responses of nutritionally stressed juvenile cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus) during acute benzene exposure

“…Cyclophosphamide and also crude protein restriction induced severe immune lesions manifested as thymus and spleen atrophy, depressed delayed hypersensitivity response, reduced proliferative capacity of splenocytes, and reduced numbers of total leukocytes, lymphocytes, and splenocytes. Although severe immune modulation resulted from the individual effects of CY exposure and dietary protein restriction, there was little statistically significant toxicant-diet interaction.Development of biomarkers to assess exposure of organisms to environmental contaminants is increasing, and studies utilizing wild rodent models are becoming more common in the literature (Rowley et al 1983;McBee et al 1987;Batty et al 1990;Flickinger and Nichols 1990;Rattner et al 1993). Numerous approaches including biochemical, physiological, and histological changes in organisms have proven useful for documenting exposure to xenobiotics.…”

Distribution of Low Organochlorine Residues in a Woodland Ecosystem

“…It seems to be improbable. For example, Batty et al (1990) recognized effects in mice (e.g. low body weight, higher organ weights or reduced reproduction rates) in a field experiment at PCB concentrations 100 times higher than concentrations in our study.…”

Population Dynamics of Cotton Rats (Sigmodon hispidus) Inhabiting Abandoned Petroleum Landfarms in Oklahoma, USA

“…Elangbam et al (1989) found that mean testes weight did not differ between cotton rats collected from reference and contaminated sites. However, reductions in testis weight have been noted in rodents from sites contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (Batty et al, 1990). Swiergosz et al (1998) found that voles exposed to cadmium did not show a difference in testes weight, but did affect tissue morphology and testes function.…”