title: Cross-placental transfer of organochlorine pesticides in Mexican free-tailed bats from Oklahoma and New Mexico.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas 77341.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Thies
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: McBee
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D007306:Insecticides; D010573:Pesticide Residues