Effects on bone tissue in ewes ( Ovies aries) and their foetuses exposed to PCB 118 and PCB 153

• Published in: Toxicology letters Vol. 192; no. 2; pp. 126 - 133
• Main Authors: Gutleb, Arno C., Arvidsson, Dan, Örberg, Jan, Larsson, Sune, Skaare, Janneche Utne, Aleksandersen, Mona, Ropstad, Erik, Lind, P. Monica
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shannon Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01.02.2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animals; Biologi; Biological and medical sciences; Biology; Bone and Bones - drug effects; Bone and Bones - metabolism; Bone Density - drug effects; Bone toxicity; Cell and molecular biology; Cell- och molekylärbiologi; Diaphyses - drug effects; Diaphyses - metabolism; EDCs; Environmental Pollutants - metabolism; Environmental Pollutants - toxicity; Female; Fetus - drug effects; Fetus - metabolism; Kirurgi; Kirurgisk forskning; Male; Maternal Exposure; Medical sciences; MEDICIN; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; MEDICINE; NATURAL SCIENCES; NATURVETENSKAP; Orthopaedics; Ortopedi; Polychlorinated Biphenyls - metabolism; Polychlorinated Biphenyls - toxicity; pQCT; Pregnancy; Sheep; Sheep, Domestic; Surgery; Surgical research; Toxicology; Toxikologi; Bone toxicity; Sheep; pQCT; EDCs; Toxicity; Polychlorobiphenyls; Osteoarticular system; Tissue; Vertebrata; Ewe; Mammalia; Animal; Artiodactyla; Bone; Ungulata
• ISSN: 0378-4274; 1879-3169; 1879-3169
• DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2009.10.008

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether low levels of mono-ortho PCB 118 and di-ortho PCB 153, affect bone composition and strength in ewes ( Dala breed) and their foetuses following exposure starting at conception and ending a week before expected delivery. In male foetuses, trabecular bone mineral content at the metaphysis was almost 30% lower in the PCB 118 (49 μg/kg body wt/day) group compared to the control group (corn oil) (ANCOVA, P < 0.05). In female foetuses of the PCB 153 (98 μg/kg body wt/day) group trabecular cross-sectional area at the metaphysis was 19% smaller than in the controls (ANCOVA, P<0.05). At the diaphysis a smaller marrow cavity area (up to 24% reduction) was observed in female and male foetuses exposed to PCB 153 compared with controls (ANCOVA, P < 0.05). There were also significant differences at the mid diaphyseal measure point between the PCB 153 and the control group females (ANCOVA, P < 0.05). Cortical and total bone mineral density, cortical thickness were significantly higher, endosteal circumference shorter and marrow cavity significantly smaller in the PCB 153 group (ANCOVA, P < 0.05). In conclusion there were gender dependent effects on bone tissue and cortical bone was more affected than trabecular bone.