title: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) selectively disrupt serotonergic cell growth in the developing Spisula embryo.
abstract: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants that exert neurotoxic effects during embryonic development. The present study demonstrates that early embryonic exposure to a mixture of PCBs (Aroclor 1254) results in a decrease in serotonergic cell growth. Using a novel, marine invertebrate embryo model, Spisula solidissima, immunocytochemistry, and confocal microscopy techniques, a dose-dependent decrease in serotonergic cell number was quantified within 24 h of exposure. This effect was seen with doses as low as 1 ppm Aroclor 1254. These findings demonstrate that environmentally relevant doses of Aroclor 1254 impair development of the serotonergic nervous system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental and Population Health, Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, Massachusetts 01536, USA.
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Barker
authors.forename: L F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Barker
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jessen-Eller
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Reinisch
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049872:Bivalvia; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects*; D020111:Chlorodiphenyl (54% Chlorine) / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000187:drug effects*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects*; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000633:toxicity*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D020111:Chlorodiphenyl (54% Chlorine); D012701:Serotonin; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls