Effect of lindane on the myelination process in the rat.

After lindane administration at several doses, brain myelin fractions of litters of male and female Wistar rats show a significant diminution of CNP (2',3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase) activity. Furthermore, the immunohistochemical study of brains by means of a MBP (myelin basic protein) specific antibody reveals myelin deficits in some brain regions after lindane treatment. This loss of myelin protein is dose dependent. The deficit in myelin cannot be attributed to undernourishment of lindane-administered rats. This work shows the vulnerability of the developing central nervous system (CNS) to lindane and the correlation between a decrease in the CNPase activity and a deficit of MBP during the period of study of these animals.