Abstract
The organophosphorus compound trichlorfon, dimethyl (2,2,2-trichloro-1-hydroxyethyl) phosphonate, was administered by stomach tube (100 mg/kg) to pregnant guinea pigs at two different stages of gestation (days 36, 37, 38 and 51, 52, 53). The pups developed locomotory disturbances, and post mortem examination revealed significantly decreased weights of the total brain and the cerebellum, as compared to controls. There was also a significant weight reduction particularly of the medulla oblongata, but also of the hippocampus, the thalamus, and the colliculi. Histological examination of the cerebellum revealed reduction of the external granular layer and the molecular layer, and regional absence of Purkinje cells.
The activities of the neurotransmitter enzymes choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), and glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) in cerebellum were reduced as compared to the control values.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Albers RW, Brady RO (1959) The distribution of glutamate decarboxylate in the nervous system of the rhesus monkey. J Biol Chem 234: 926–928
Berge GN, Fonnum F, Brodal P (1985a) Neurotoxic effects of prenatal trichlorfon administration in pigs. Acta Pharmacol Toxicol (Subm.)
Berge GN, Fonnum F, Søgnen E, Søli NE (1985b) Neurotoxicological examination of piglet brain after prenatal and postnatal exposure of trichlorfon. Acta Pharmacol Toxicol (Subm.)
Berge GN, Nafstad I (1983) Teratogenicity and embryotoxicity of orally administered fenchlorphos in blue foxes. Acta Vet Scand 24: 99–112
Broch OJ, Fonnum F (1972) The regional and subcellular distribution of catechol-O-methyl-transferase in the rat brain. J Neurochem 19: 2049–2055
Byron JW (1975) Manipulation of the cell cycle of the hemopoietic stem cell. Exp Hematol 3: 44–53
Dawson AB (1926) A note on the staining of the skeleton of cleared specimens with alizarin red S. Stain Technol 1: 123–124
Dickerson JWT, Dobbing J (1967) Prenatal and postnatal growth and development of the central nervous system of the pig. R Soc Proc 166: 384–395
Dobbing J, Sands J (1970) Growth and development of the brain and spinal cord of the guinea pig. Brain Res 17: 115–123
Fatzer R, Häni H, Scholl E (1981) Kongenitaler Tremor und zerebelläre Hypoplasie bei Ferkeln nach Behandlung der Mutterschweine mit Neguvon® während der Trächtigkeit. Schweiz Arch Tierheilkd 123: 29–36
Fonnum F (1972) Localization of cholinergic and y-aminobutyric acid containing pathways in brain. In: Balázs R, Cremer JE (eds) Metabolic compartmentation in the brain. The Macmillan Press Ltd. pp 245–257
Fonnum F (1975) A rapid radiochemical method for the determination of choline acetyltransferase. J Neurochem 25: 407–409
Fonnum F, Walaas I, Iversen E (1977) Localization of GABAergic, cholinergic and aminergic structures on the mesolimbic system. J Neurochem 29: 221–230
Fonnum F, Storm-Mathisen J, Divac I (1981) Biochemical evidence for glutamate as neurotransmitter in corticostriatal and corticothalamic fibres in rat brain. Neuroscience 6: 863–873
Gamlem HN, Lund A, Moen JH, Berge GN (1983) Kongenital tremor og cerebellum-hypoplasi hos spedgriser som en mulig folge av Neguvon ®-behandling av drektige purker. (Congenital tremor and cerebellar hypoplasia in piglets associated with trichlorfon-treatment of pregnant sows). Norsk Veterinærtidsskrift 6: 385–387
Kàsa P, Silver A (1969) The correlation between choline acetyltransferase and acetylcholinesterase activity in different areas of the cerebellum of rat and guinea pig. J Neurochem 16: 389–396
Knox B, Askaa J, Basse A, Bitsch V, Eskildsen M, Mandrup M, Ottosen HE, Qverby E, Pedersen KB, Rasmussen F (1978) Congenital ataxia and tremor with cerebellar hypoplasia in piglets born by sows treated with Neguvon® vet. during pregnancy. Nord Vet Med 30: 538–545
Kronevi T, Bäckstrøm L (1977) Kongenital tremor (skaksjuke) hos gris (Congenital tremor in piglets). Svensk Veterinärtidning 29: 837–841
Nafstad I, Berge G, Sannes E, Lyngset A (1983) Teratogenic effects of the organophosphorus compound fenchlorphos in rabbits. Acta Vet Scand 24: 295–304
Saito K, Barber R, Wu J, Matsuda T, Roberts E, Vaughn JE (1974) Immunohistochemical localization of glutamate decarboxylase in rat cerebellum. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 71: 269–273
Schardein JL (1976) Drugs as teratogens. CRC Press, Inc. Ohio, USA 17
Schulman JA (1983) Chemical neuroanatomy of the cerebellar cortex. In: Emson PC (ed) Chemical Neuroanatomy, Raven Press, New York
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Berge, G.N., Nafstad, I. & Fonnum, F. Prenatal effects of trichlorfon on the guinea pig brain. Arch Toxicol 59, 30–35 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00263954
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00263954