Neonatal modulation of hepatic acid soluble sulfhydryls and xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes in suckling mice exposed translactationally to butylated hydroxyanisole.

The present study examines the effect of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) exposure through mother's milk on some of the hepatic xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes in the F1 offspring. Lactating Swiss albino mice received either a 0.5 or 1% BHA diet during the lactation period. The acid-soluble sulfhydryl content and activities of glutathione S-transferase and glutathione reductase increased significantly (p < 0.01) whereas the activity of glutathione peroxidase decreased significantly (p < 0.01) in the liver of pups exposed to BHA via milk. The hepatic content of cytochrome b5 increased (p < 0.01) while that of cytochrome P-450 decreased (p < 0.01) in the pups of dams which received a 1% BHA diet during lactation.