Modulation of ovarian follicle maturation in Long–Evans rats exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in-utero and lactationally

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are ubiquitous man-made toxicants capable of endocrine disruption. Studies in several species have shown that exposure to PCBs and their hydroxylated metabolites reduces fecundity and decreases circulating concentrations of thyroid hormones, causing serious reproductive and developmental defects. Thyroid hormones modulate both follicular development and steroidogenesis, and affect estrogen metabolism and the regulation of estrogen receptor. This study was designed (1) to determine whether exposure to a commercially prepared PCB mixture (Aroclor 1016) exerts detrimental effects on follicle maturation in the Long–Evans hooded rat; and (2) to determine whether the modulatory effects of Aroclor can be attenuated by levo-thyroxine sodium (T 4) supplementation. Animals were treated on gestation days 7–13 with a single daily intraperitoneal injection (2.5 mg/kg per day) of Aroclor. Half of the Aroclor-treated dams were also given T 4 supplements (2.89 μg/kg per day) via drinking water. Female pups were sacrificed on postnatal days 24/25, and the ovaries were excised, fixed for histology and analyzed. The analysis included a count, measurement and classification of healthy and atretic preantral and antral follicles in the greatest cross-sectional area. The results indicated that treatment with Aroclor significantly reduced the number of preantral follicles 100,000 μm 2 size classes. T 4 circumvented the Aroclor effect on the number of preantral follicles 100,000 μm 2 size classes. In addition, we observed a significant increase in atresia in the Aroclor-treated ovaries in the antral