Irreversible thyroid disruption induced after subchronic exposure to hexachlorobenzene in male rats.

Thyroid hormones play a complex role in the toxicity of hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and related compounds. Time-course and dose-response experiments for free- and total thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) plasma levels for thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid gland histomorphology were determined in male Wistar rats. Also, we examined the possible reversibility of changes noted after removal of HCB. Rats treated with this organochlorine compound resulted in a hypertrophy of the thyroid gland and altered thyroid function by decreasing significantly the levels of total- and free T4 in a dose-dependent manner (total T4: 28 and 51%; free T4: 21 and 37%), and this decrease was seen as early as 21 days and thereafter. Free T3 was also decreased by 21% with the highest dose starting from day 21. No significant changes were observed in the circulating levels of total T3 In response to the decrease of thyroid hormones, a dose-dependent increase of TSH levels (27 and 31%, respectively, for 4 mg and 16 mg/kg of HCB body weight) was observed after 21 days of HCB treatment. We have observed a hypertrophy and hyperplasia of follicular cells and a decrease in colloid volume in histological picture. When HCB was removed and changed by vehicle, the thyroid relative weight and plasma TSH continued to rise and serum thyroid hormones remained suppressed. These findings suggest that subchronic exposure of rats to HCB induced an irreversible hypothyroidism state.

[Effect of hexachlorobenzene on some male reproductive parameters in Meriones unguiculatus]. / Effet de l'hexachlorobenzène sur certains paramètres de la fonction de reproduction mâle chez Meriones unguiculatus.

Organochlorine pesticides are known to cause disturbances in many physiological functions. The effects of in vivo administered hexachlorobenzene (HCB) on the male testicular function were studied in Meriones unguiculatus. Three groups of sexually mature meriones were orally exposed to 1.6, 4, and 16 mg/kg of body weight in olive oil for 30 days. Morphological and morphometrical estimations were applied to quantify some structural constituents of the testes. Testicular weight was significantly decreased in all treated groups, while no change was noted in seminal vesicle weight. A decrease in the spermatozoid content of the seminiferous tube was noted and appeared correlated with a modification of the process of spermatogenesis. Spermatic activity in HCB-treated animals testes decreased significantly, particularly in the group treated with the higher dose (60+/-3.16% vs. 88+/-4.89% in controls). Plasma testosterone levels were decreased significantly in the groups treated with 4 and 16 mg[HCB]/kg BW (0.48+/-0.08 ng/ml and 0.54+/-0.07 ng/ml) comparatively to controls (1.08+/-0.1 ng/ml) p<0.01.