Skip to main content
Log in

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran (TCDF) in pregnant C57BL/6N mice: distribution to the embryo and excretion

  • Original Investigations
  • Published:
Archives of Toxicology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The distribution and excretion of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlordibenzofuran (TCDF) were studied in pregnant C57BL/6N mice following an oral dose of 30 μg/kg 14C-TCDD and 800 μg/kg 14C-TCDF on gestation day 11. The distribution in maternal blood and liver and excretion in urine and feces was similar to that previously reported in males of the same strain. However, the rates of elimination were more rapid in pregnant females for both chemicals. This was more pronounced for TCDD than for TCDF. At all time points examined, the levels of radioactivity in the individual embryos were below 0.5% of the total TCDD dose and below 0.05% of the total TCDF dose. Assuming that all radioactive material found in embryos was unmetabolized compound, no more than 2.6 ng (8 pmoles) TCDD and 6.4 ng (21 pmoles) TCDF per g tissue were detected. In light of recent findings which strongly suggest a direct effect of TCDD and related compounds on embryonic palatal tissue, our data clearly support the potent teratogenic effect of TCDD and TCDF on the development of the secondary palate.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Birnbaum LS, Decad GM, Matthews HB (1980) Disposition and excretion of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran in the rat. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 55: 342–352

    Google Scholar 

  • Birnbaum LS, Weber H, Harris MW, Lamb JC, McKinney JD (1985) Toxic interaction of specific polychlorinated biphenyls and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin: Increased incidence of cleft palate in mice. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 77: 292–302

    Google Scholar 

  • Courtney KD, Moore JA (1971) Teratology studies with 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 2,3,7,8-tetrachiorodi-benzo-p-dioxin. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 20: 396–403

    Google Scholar 

  • D'Argy R, Hassoun E, Dencker L (1984) Teratogenicity of TCDD and the congener 3,3′, 4.4′-tetrachloroazoxybenzene in sensitive and nonsensitive mouse strains after reciprocal blastocyst transfer. Toxicol Lett 21: 197–202

    Google Scholar 

  • Decad GM, Birnbaum LS, Matthews HB (1981) Distribution and excretion of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran in C57BL/6J and DBA/2J mice. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 59: 564–573

    Google Scholar 

  • Dencker L, Pratt RM (1981) Association between the presence of the Ah receptor in embryonic murine tissue and sensitivity to TCDD-induced cleft palate. Teratogenesis, Carcinogenesis, and Mutagenesis 1: 399–406

    Google Scholar 

  • Gasiewicz TA, Giger LE, Rucci G, Neal RA (1983) Distribution, excretion and metabolism of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in C57BL/6J, DBA/2J, and B602F1/J mice. Drug Metab Dispos 11: 397–403

    Google Scholar 

  • Gray AP, McClellan WJ, Dipinto VM (1981) Carbon-14-labeled 2,3,7,8- and 1,2,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran. J Label Compounds Radiopharm 18: 507–519

    Google Scholar 

  • Harris MW, Moore JA, Vos JG, Gupta BN (1973) General biologic effects of TCDD in laboratory animals. Environ Health Perspec 5: 101–109

    Google Scholar 

  • Hassoun E, D'Argy R, Dencker L (1984a) Teratogenicity of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran in the mouse. J Toxicol Environ Health 14: 337–351

    Google Scholar 

  • Hassoun E, D'Argy R, Dencker L, Sundström G (1984b) Teratological studies on the TCDD congener 3,3',4,4'-tetrachloroazoxybenzene in sensitive and nonsensitive mouse strains: Evidence for a direct effect on embryonic tissues. Arch Toxicol 55: 20–26

    Google Scholar 

  • Kimbrough RD (ed) (1980) Halogenated biphenyls, terphenyls, naphthalenes, dibenzodioxins and related products. Elsevier/ North Holland, Amsterdam

    Google Scholar 

  • McConnell EE, Moore JA (1979) Toxicopathology characteristics of the halogenated aromatics. Ann NY Acad Sci 320: 138–150

    Google Scholar 

  • McConnell EE (1980) Acute and chronic toxicity, Carcinogenesis, reproduction, teratogenesis and mutagenesis in animals. In: Kimbrough RD (ed). Halogenated biphenyls, terphenyls, naphthalenes, dibenzodioxins and related products. Elsevier/ North-Holland, Amsterdam pp 109–150

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore JA, McConnell EE, Dalgard DW, Harris MW (1979) Comparative toxicity of three halogenated dibenzofurans in guinea pigs, mice and rhesus monkeys. Ann NY Acad Sci 320: 151–163

    Google Scholar 

  • Nau H, Bass R (1981) Transfer of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) to the mouse embryo and fetus. Toxicology 20: 299–308

    Google Scholar 

  • Neubert D, Zens P, Rothenwallner A, Merker HJ (1973) A survey of the embryo-toxic effects of TCDD in mammalian species. Environ Health Perspec 5: 67–79

    Google Scholar 

  • Poland A, Knutson JC (1982) 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and related halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons: Examination of the mechanism of toxicity. Ann Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 22: 517–554

    Google Scholar 

  • Pratt RM, Dencker L, Diewert VM (1984) 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin-induced cleft palate in the mouse: Evidence for alterations in palatal shelf fusion. Teratogenesis, Carcinogenesis and Mutagenesis 4: 427–436

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwetz BA, Norris JL, Spraschu GL, Rowe VK, Gehring PJ, Emerson JL, Gerbig CJ (1973) Toxicology of chlorinated di-benzo-p-dioxins. Environ Health Persp 5: 87–101

    Google Scholar 

  • Weber H, Lamb JC, Harris MW, Moore JA (1984) Teratogenicity of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran (TCDF) in mice. Toxicol Lett 20: 183–188

    Google Scholar 

  • Weber H, Harris MW, Haseman JK, Birnbaum LS (1985) Teratogenic potency of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran (TCDF), and TCDD-TCDF combinations in C57BL/6N mice. Toxicol Lett (in press)

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Weber, H., Birnbaum, L.S. 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran (TCDF) in pregnant C57BL/6N mice: distribution to the embryo and excretion. Arch Toxicol 57, 159–162 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00290880

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00290880

Key words

Navigation