Impact of PBDE-209 exposure during pregnancy and lactation on immune function of offspring rats / 南方医科大学学报

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the potential hazard of environmental deca-brominated diphenyl ether (PBDE-209) exposure to the immune function of the offspring rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The parental Wistar rats were exposed to PBDE-209 administered intragastrically during pregnancy and lactation, and the development of the immune organs and changes in T lymphocyte subset and their proliferation, NK cell surface markers CD161 and serum immunoglobulins (IgM and IgG) were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Significant differences in the weight of the immune organs were noted between the exposure group and control group. In the exposure group, the percentage of T lymphocyte subset CD3(+), CD4(+), CD8(+), CD4(+)CD8(+), the percentage of NK cell surface markers CD16 1 and CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio were lowered, while the percentage of CD4(-)CD8(-) cells increased. T lymphocyte subset proliferation in the exposure group did not show obviously changes, but compared with the control group, the IgM level in the exposure group was significantly lowered. No significant differences were observed in IgG levels between the exposure and control groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Continuous exposure to high-dose PBDE-209 in female rats during pregnancy and lactation results in possible adverse effect on the immune function of the offspring rats.</p>