Determination of hypothalamic levels of monoamines in male and female rats exposed pre and postnatally to 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). XXXVIII

MADARIAGA, M.; STÜRTZ, N.; JAHN, G.; DUFFARD, R; EVANGELISTA, A.

Cordoba

Congreso; Reunión Anual de la Sociedad Argentina de Farmacología Experimental,; 2006

Sociedad Argentina de Farmacología Experimental,

continuing our previous studies on herbicide 2,4-D reproductive and developmental toxicity studies, hypothalamic levels of monoamines and their metabolites were measured. Virgin female 90 day-old Wistar rats were made pregnant, and the treated group was exposed to 2,4-D (70 mg/kg/day, sprayed on food) from gestation day 16 onward. On postnatal day 23, pups were weaned and the treated group continued to be fed with 2,4-D until sacrifice by decapitation at 45 or 90 days of age. Brains were dissected and the hypothalami separated and weighed. They were homogenized by sonication in 0,1M perchloric acid and centrifuged.. Noreprinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA), 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl-acetic acid (DOPAC), homovanillic acid (HVA), serotonin (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid (5-HIAA) were measured in the supernatants by HPLC. At 45 days of age, we observed significant decreases in DA, DOPAC, NE and HVA levels in the treated females At 90 days of age, only NE level showed a significant decrease in the treated males. Results show that 2,4-D alters the hypothalamic levels of monoamine in different manners at different ages. These alterations could modify the development of hormonal systems associated with sexual behavior in adult animals.