Fetal, neonatal, and long-term alterations in hepatic retinoid levels following maternal polychlorinated biphenyl exposure in rats.

This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of perinatal polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB; Aroclor 1254) exposure on hepatic and plasma retinoid levels in fetal rats, their dams, and neonatal and adult offspring. Pregnant Wistar rats were treated with 0, 5, or 25 mg Aroclor 1254/kg body wt from Days 10 to 16 of gestation. Hepatic retinoid (retinol, retinyl palmitate, and retinyl stearate) levels were determined in fetuses and dams from Day 20 of gestation, in male and female neonates 21 days postpartum, and in young adult offspring 90 days after birth. Retinol levels were determined in fetal and maternal plasma (Gestation Day 20) and plasma from the offspring 21 and 90 days after birth. Maternal and fetal plasma retinol levels were decreased by 35 and 38% on Day 20 of gestation following exposure to the highest dose of Aroclor 1254. Male, but not female, neonatal plasma retinol levels were significantly decreased (23%) in the high-dose group. No effects of PCB treatment were seen on plasma retinol levels in the offspring 90 days after birth. Only slight reductions in fetal and maternal hepatic retinol and retinyl palmitate concentrations were observed after prenatal PCB exposure. Male neonatal hepatic retinyl palmitate levels were reduced by 25 and 50% in the 5 and 25-mg Aroclor 1254/kg dose groups, respectively, while female neonatal hepatic retinyl palmitate levels were significantly reduced only in the high-dose group. Ninety days after birth, male hepatic retinyl palmitate levels were only slightly reduced in the highest dose group; however, hepatic retinol concentrations were significantly reduced by 50% in both PCB treatment groups. Female adult offspring exhibited significant reductions in hepatic retinyl palmitate levels (25%) in both PCB treatment groups, while hepatic retinol levels exhibited an unusual increase of more than 100% of controls in the low-dose group, while levels in the high-dose group were similar to controls. This study demonstrates that even a relatively low maternal dose of Aroclor 1254 results in long-term alterations in retinoid status of the offspring in the rat.