Action of exogenously administered steroid hormones following perinatal exposure to polybrominated biphenyls

Abstract

Polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) have produced a variety of effects including alterations in the endocrine system and in the activity of microsomal mixed‐function oxidases (MFOs). Because steroid hormones are substrates for MFOs, effects of PBBs on the endocrine system may be a consequence of enhanced steroid hormone catabolism. Therefore, as a first step in evaluating the effect of PBBs on steroid hormone metabolism, it was of interest to determine effects of perinatal exposure to PBBs on the response to exogenously administered steroid hormones. Rats were exposed to 0, 10, or 100 ppm PBBs from d 8 of gestation until d 28 postpartum, when experiments were conducted. Responses to labeled steroid hormones were generally modified in a manner directly related to PBB dose and were correlated with changes in serum and target tissue radioactivity. Stimulated metabolism of steroid hormones may account; at least in part, for endocrine‐related alterations produced by PBBs. Although the potential for decreased reproductive capacity following PBBs cannot yet be accurately predicted, these experiments suggest that fertility may be reduced following PBBs as a consequence of accelerated steroid hormone metabolism and/or excretion.