title: Effects of Aroclor 1254 on the expression of rat placental PRL-family genes.
abstract: This study was performed to investigate the effects of Aroclor 1254 (A1254), a commercial polychlorinated biphenyl mixture, on the expression of rat placental prolactin (PRL) family genes and reproductive activity. Placental lactogen-Iv and -II, and prolactin-like protein-A and -C mRNA levels were significantly decreased in the placentas of A1254-treated rats in a dose-dependent manner. The mRNA levels of Pit-1alpha and beta isotypes, which are involved in the regulation of PRL family gene expression, were also decreased in the A1254-treated rat placenta. In the rat placental junctional zone, high-dose A1254 (25 mg/kg B.W.) treatment reduced the number of spongiotrophoblasts, cells in which the PRL family genes are expressed. Finally, maternal exposure to A1254 was shown to have significant toxic effects on reproductive activity, including embryonic and placental growth retardation, delay of parturition, and reduction of the number of pups per litter. The results of the present study indicated that A1254 has an inhibitory effect on PRL family, Pit-1alpha, and beta gene expression in the rat placenta, leading to significant toxic effects on reproductive activity in rats.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Industrial Medicine, Inje University, Busan 614-735, Korea.
authors.forename: Chae Kwan
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Chae Un
authors.initials: CU
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jeong Ho
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Byung Chul
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Son
authors.forename: Dae Hwan
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Chang Hee
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hwi Dong
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jung Won
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Yong Dal
authors.initials: YD
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: Sung Goo
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Deog Hwan
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Moon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002452:Cell Count; D020111:Chlorodiphenyl (54% Chlorine) / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000139:chemically induced; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008098:Litter Size / Q000187:drug effects; D018811:Maternal Exposure; D005810:Multigene Family / Q000187:drug effects*; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D010920:Placenta / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D010927:Placental Insufficiency / Q000139:chemically induced; D010928:Placental Lactogen / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D011247:Pregnancy; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D050817:Transcription Factor Pit-1; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C494186:Pou1f1 protein, rat; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins; C502143:Prl4a1 protein, rat; C502145:Prl8a3 protein, rat; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D050817:Transcription Factor Pit-1; D014157:Transcription Factors; C066927:placental lactogen I-variant; C062303:placental lactogen II; D020111:Chlorodiphenyl (54% Chlorine); D010928:Placental Lactogen