Effects of benzo(a)pyrene at environmentally relevant doses on embryo-fetal development in rats

Author(s)

Moreira, Suyane Silva ^[1] ; de Lima Inocencio, Leonardo Cesar ^[1] ; Jorge, Barbara Campos ^[1] ; Casali Reis, Ana Carolina ^[1] ; Hisano, Hamilton ^[2] ; Arena, Arielle Cristina ^{[1, 3]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Paulista Botucatu UNESP, Inst Biosci Botucatu, Dept Struct & Funct Biol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Embrapa Environm, Jaguariuna, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Estadual Paulista Botucatu UNESP, Ctr Toxicol Assistance CEATOX, Inst Biosci Botucatu, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY; v. 36, n. 5, p. 831-839, MAY 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

Studies have demonstrated that Benzo(a)Pyrene (BaP), a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon ubiquituous in the environment, can cause teratogenic effects. Since the majority of studies used in vitro models or high doses of BaP, this study evaluated the teratogenicity, reproductive and developmental performance of low doses of BaP through maternal and fetus examination after daily oral administration of BaP (0; 0.1; 1.0 or 10 mu g/kg) to pregnant Wistar rats from Gestational day (GD) 6 to GD 15 (the organogenesis period). Pregnant rats did not exhibit clinical signs of toxicity during the exposure period. However, dams exposed to the lowest dose of BaP showed a reduction in the erythrocytes number and in the creatinine levels. The groups exposed to 0.1 and 1.0 mu g/kg presented a decrease in placental efficiency, as well as an increase in placental weight. After fetal examination, the treated group with the lowest dose showed a reduced relative anogenital distance, while the curve of normal distribution of weight was changed in the highest dose group. In addition, anomalies evidenced by changes in the renal size and degree of fetal ossification were observed in treated-fetus. In conclusion, treatment with BaP during organogenesis at this dose level is detrimental to the normal development of fetuses. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/07967-8 - Exposition of prepubertal male rats to the anti-inflammatory ibuprofen: reproductive aspects in generation F1
• Grantee: Dayana Agnes Santos Ferreira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 18/07394-8 - Investigation of reproductive parameters of male rats exposed to anti-inflammatory ibuprofen in pre-puberty
• Grantee: Julia Stein
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation