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Alterations in liver ultrastructure and induction of UDP-glucuronyltransferase in the rat following prenatal exposure to 3,4,3′,4′-tetrachlorobiphenyl

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Abstract

Prenatal exposure of rats to 3,4,3′,4′-tetrachlorobiphenyl (4CB) at 3 mg/kg/day from day 6 through day 18 of gestation produced a high incidence of perinatal mortality. Although the fine structure of fetal liver at day 19 appeared normal, significant changes were manifest in newborn pups. These alterations included a distention of cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and conspicuous proliferation of smooth membrane elements, which persisted in survivors for several weeks. In addition, mitochondria often appeared condensed with an atypical distribution of cristae. These changes were accompanied by a postnatal induction in the activity of liver UDP-glucuronyltransferase. In treated litters, 3-week-old pups had activity levels of the enzyme three times that of the controls.

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  1. Department of Zoology, Brigham Young University, 84602, Provo, Utah

    Craig Harris & William S. Bradshaw

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  1. Craig Harris
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  2. William S. Bradshaw
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Harris, C., Bradshaw, W.S. Alterations in liver ultrastructure and induction of UDP-glucuronyltransferase in the rat following prenatal exposure to 3,4,3′,4′-tetrachlorobiphenyl. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 13, 715–721 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01055935

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01055935

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