Modulation of hepatic glutathione system of enzymes in suckling mouse pups exposed translactationally to malathion

The present study examines the transmammary modulation of the glutathione system of enzymes in the F 1 generation of mouse pups postnatally exposed to malathion. Lactating Swiss albino mice received either 30 or 100 mg malathion kg −1 body wt. (98% pure) for 14 or 21 days postpartum. The acid‐soluble sulphydryl content was significantly increased ( P <0.001) in the liver of 14‐day‐old pups of dams that had received the higher malathion dose. A similar significant increase was seen in the 21‐day‐old male pups of dams that had received 30 mg ( P <0.05) or 100 mg ( P <0.01) malathion kg −1 body wt. Dams showed an enhanced hepatic glutathione S ‐transferase activity following treatment with 100 mg melathion kg −1 body wt. for 14 days ( P <0.02) and 21 days ( P <0.001). Pups of either age groups also showed enhanced hepatic glutathion S ‐transferase activity ( P <0.001). A significant enhancement in glutathione reductase activity was observed with malathion treatment in livers of dams and pups ( P <0.001). However, dams that had received 30 mg malathion kg −1 body wt. daily for 21 days or 100 mg malathion kg −1 body wt. for either 14 or 21 days showed significantly reduced hepatic glutathione peroxidase activity ( P <0.01, P <0.001). A significant decrease in glutathione peroxidase activity was also observed in the liver of the 21‐day‐old male ( P <0.01) and female ( P <0.02) pups of dams that were treated with the higher dose of malathion.