Long-term sex selective hormonal and behavior alterations in mice exposed to low doses of chlorpyrifos in utero.
Chlorpyrifos, O,O-diethyl-O-(3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridyl) phosphorothioate, is an organophosphate insecticide known to be present in human urine. In utero exposure to chlorpyrifos may cause long-term hormonal and behavior alterations. In this study mice were exposed to 0, 1 or 5mg/kg chlorpyrifos on gestational days 17-20. In utero exposed mice were then tested in a novel foraging behavior maze and assayed for thyroid hormones. Free Thyroxine Index increased significantly in females, but not males. Learning latency and reduced learning ability was evident during training sessions 5-9 in female mice exposed to 1 or 5mg/kg chlorpyrifos. No learning deficiencies were observed in male mice. No differences were seen in behavior when using a standard radial arm maze during the nine training sessions. These data suggest that mice are susceptible to neuro-endocrine reprogramming by chlorpyrifos, and demonstrate the efficacy of the novel foraging maze as an efficient behavior assay tool.
Haviland
Julia A
JA
University of Wisconsin - Madison, Zoology Department, 1117 W. Johnson St., Madison, WI 53706, United States.
Butz
Daniel E
DE
Porter
Warren P
WP
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D004390:Chlorpyrifos / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D007306:Insecticides; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D012737:Sex Factors; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood; D014284:Triiodothyronine / Q000097:blood
D007306:Insecticides; D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D014284:Triiodothyronine; D004390:Chlorpyrifos; D013974:Thyroxine