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Reproductive effects of hexachlorobenzene in female rats
Author(s) -
Alvarez Laura,
Randi Andrea,
Alvarez Paula,
Piroli Gerardo,
Chamson–Reig Astrid,
Lux–Lantos Victoria,
Pisarev Diana Kleiman De
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
journal of applied toxicology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.784
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1099-1263
pISSN - 0260-437X
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1099-1263(200001/02)20:1<81::aid-jat629>3.0.co;2-z
Subject(s) - hexachlorobenzene , medicine , endocrinology , estrous cycle , ovary , aryl hydrocarbon receptor , hormone , prolactin , biology , chemistry , pollutant , ecology , biochemistry , gene , transcription factor
Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) is a polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbon widely distributed in the environment. In animal testing, HCB has been shown to be a reproductive toxin. Previous investigations of the effects of HCB on ovarian function have yielded equivocal results. Thus, the effects of chronic administration of HCB (1 g kg −1 body wt.) on the ovary and pituitary hormone levels, hepatic and uterine oestradiol receptors, ovarian histopathological changes and oestrus cycle characteristics were investigated in spontaneously cycling rats. Our data demonstrate that HCB treatment, under the conditions of the present study, reduced circulating levels of oestradiol and prolactin without differences in serum concentrations of progesterone. Follicle‐stimulating hormone serum levels were elevated. Hexachlorobenzene treatment resulted in irregularity of cycles, characterized mainly as prolonged periods of oestrus with a reduced number of ova recovered. In addition, HCB administration resulted in significantly decreased uterine nuclear oestrogen receptor levels. Histopathological examination revealed degenerative changes of the ovarian follicles and germinal epithelium and increased numbers of atresic follicles. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.