Clinical and reproductive effects of Clophen A50 (PCB) administered during gestation on pregnant guinea pigs and their offspring.

Female and male guinea pigs exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in utero and via mother's milk showed growth retardation and signs of delayed onset of sexual maturation. In female young exposed to PCBs first vaginal opening occurred at a significantly older age and was of shorter duration compared with control females. The age at the first ovulation did not differ significantly between PCB-exposed females and control females. Male young exposed to PCBs had significantly lower absolute and relative testis weights at 3 months of age compared with control males. No differences in plasma testosterone concentrations were observed.