title: Adduct formation in hemoglobin of the newborn mouse exposed in utero to benzo[a]pyrene.
abstract: The administration of benzo[a]pyrene topically to pregnant mice during days 13-17 of gestation results in adduct formation in the hemoglobin of the mother and progeny. Thus, exposure to a total maternal body burden of 500 micrograms of benzo[a]pyrene during the last 5 days before delivery resulted in an average level of 6.35 (+/- 0.70 S.E.M.) pg of anti-diolepoxide metabolite covalently attached per mg of hemoglobin analyzed in the mother and 1.40 (+/- 0.23 S.E.M.) in the newborn animals. These data indicate that benzo[a]pyrene administered to the skin of the mother passed across the placental membrane, either as benzo[a]pyrene or some metabolite(s), and was present in the fetal tissue as the "ultimate" carcinogenic form (anti-diolepoxide metabolite) before binding to the hemoglobin. Concomitant adduct formation in the DNA of the skin with benzo[a]pyrene in the progeny was not observed and was probably due to the small amount of carcinogen applied to the mother. The data obtained, along with previously published results [Toxicology, 34 (1985) 211], suggest the suitability of hemoglobin as a molecular dosimeter for estimating carcinogenic risk to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
mesh_terms: D015123:7,8-Dihydro-7,8-dihydroxybenzo(a)pyrene 9,10-oxide; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D001580:Benzopyrenes / Q000097:blood*; D001711:Biotransformation; D001822:Body Burden; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D001580:Benzopyrenes; D006454:Hemoglobins; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene; D015123:7,8-Dihydro-7,8-dihydroxybenzo(a)pyrene 9,10-oxide