[Impact of PBDE-209 exposure during pregnancy and lactation on immune function of offspring rats].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the potential hazard of environmental deca-brominated diphenyl ether (PBDE-209) exposure to the immune function of the offspring rats.


METHODS
The parental Wistar rats were exposed to PBDE-209 administered intragastrically during pregnancy and lactation, and the development of the immune organs and changes in T lymphocyte subset and their proliferation, NK cell surface markers CD161 and serum immunoglobulins (IgM and IgG) were observed.


RESULTS
Significant differences in the weight of the immune organs were noted between the exposure group and control group. In the exposure group, the percentage of T lymphocyte subset CD3(+), CD4(+), CD8(+), CD4(+)CD8(+), the percentage of NK cell surface markers CD16 1 and CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio were lowered, while the percentage of CD4(-)CD8(-) cells increased. T lymphocyte subset proliferation in the exposure group did not show obviously changes, but compared with the control group, the IgM level in the exposure group was significantly lowered. No significant differences were observed in IgG levels between the exposure and control groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Continuous exposure to high-dose PBDE-209 in female rats during pregnancy and lactation results in possible adverse effect on the immune function of the offspring rats.
Zhou
Jun
J
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China. ice.zj001@163.com
Chen
Dun-jin
DJ
Liao
Qin-ping
QP
Yu
Yan-hong
YH
D000818:Animals; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D005260:Female; D005411:Flame Retardants / Q000633:toxicity; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D007774:Lactation; D008297:Male; D018811:Maternal Exposure; D010647:Phenyl Ethers / Q000633:toxicity*; D011075:Polybrominated Biphenyls / Q000633:toxicity*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology
D005411:Flame Retardants; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; D010647:Phenyl Ethers; D011075:Polybrominated Biphenyls; C010902:decabromobiphenyl ether