Developmental toxicity of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs): a systematic review of experimental data

Abstract

Experimental reproductive and developmental toxicity studies with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are reviewed in brief to determine their relevance for current environmental exposure of humans during the prenatal and postnatal developmental periods. Additional material is published in electronic form only, which contains graphic overviews on individual PCBs and various mixtures that are linked with the relevant citations. In this comprehensive article we focus on interactions of PCBs with biological substrates that could mediate adverse effects observed in experimental animals and in children, and the shortcomings of many of the animal studies available. A main point of criticism involves the relative lack of animal data on several of those persistent congeners, either as individual compounds or as environmentally relevant mixtures, which are currently used as a measure of human exposure. Experimental studies in animals are frequently conducted with commercial PCB mixtures, a test design that does not reflect the exposure situation in humans. Important improvements of animal experiments could be achieved by more complete reporting of litter data (pre- and post-natal losses, toxic signs in the dam and the offspring, birth weights and postnatal growth data), the inclusion of endpoints that have been found previously to be affected by PCBs, and measurements of internal exposure data.

Permanently compromised NADPH-diaphorase activity within the osmotically activated supraoptic nucleus after in utero but not adult exposure to Aroclor 1254

“…4). These results suggest that the neurotoxic effects of PCB exposure to the developing nervous system may be persistent and potentially maladaptive, and are in agreement with reports demonstrating that PCB exposure during gestation produces long-term neurotoxicity in various behavioral and neurological parameters in rats and mice (Meerts et al, 2004;Ulbrich and Stahlman, 2004). Moreover, the aged hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system (HNS) may be additionally susceptible to developmentally-reduced NOS activity since the NOS response to physiological stimulation is more vigorous in aged rats as shown previously in salt-loaded animals (Soinila et al, 1999).…”

Organochlorine contaminants in different tissues from Platichthys flesus (Pisces, Pleuronectidea)

“…These contaminants tend to accumulate in organisms, due to their lipophilic characteristics, resistance to chemical and metabolic degradation. Human exposure occurs mainly from environmental contamination of food products (Ulbrich and Stahlmann, 2004). Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) was widely used as a fungicide.…”

Effects of polychlorinated biphenyls on maternal odor conditioning in rat pups

“…Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are environmental endocrine disruptors that can have significant impact on the development of diverse physiological and psychological functions [1][2][3]. Manufacturing of PCBs was terminated in the USA in 1977 but they persist in the global environment [4][5][6].…”

“…In this report, PCBs are recognized as a major threat to human health with exposure occurring from ingestion of contaminated food substances and in lesser amounts from air or water sources. Adverse effects include lower birth weights in children, shorter gestational periods, impaired autonomic function, weak reflexes and attentional deficits [1][2][3]15]. Developing fetuses and newborns are the most vulnerable, obtaining more concentrated PCBs from the placenta or from breast milk during suckling [16,17].…”