Cross-placental transfer of organochlorine pesticides in Mexican free-tailed bats from Oklahoma and New Mexico.
A total of 41 pregnant Mexican free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) were collected from Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico, and Vickery Cave, Oklahoma, in May and June 1990 and May 1991 for organochlorine pesticide analyses. Residues of p,p'-DDE were detected by gas chromatography in 40 embryos at levels highly correlated with brain concentrations (r = 0.496) but were not correlated mother's body tissues (r = 0.060). Embryonic levels also did not correlate with either embryonic fat content (r = 0.018) or maternal fat content (r = 0.300), suggesting that placental membranes offer only marginal protection for developing embryos against exposure to lipophilic organochlorine pesticides.
Thies
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ML
Department of Biological Sciences, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas 77341.
McBee
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K
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D002685:Chiroptera / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D007306:Insecticides / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D009516:New Mexico; D009825:Oklahoma; D010573:Pesticide Residues / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D011247:Pregnancy
D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D007306:Insecticides; D010573:Pesticide Residues