Dibenzo[def,p]chrysene (DBC) is a transplacental carcinogen in mice (15 mg/kg DBC gestation day (GD) 17). As pregnant women would be exposed throughout pregnancy, the present study treatment was divided into 4 doses on GD 5, 9, 13 and 17. The tumor response was dramatically altered with respect to target tissue and frequency. [14C]-DBC (GD17) dosing was utilized to examine time-dependent alterations in [14C] in maternal and fetal tissues, excreta and residual levels at weaning. Fetal tissue levels of [14C]-DBC equivalents were 10-fold lower than maternal tissue. This study highlights the importance of developmental stage in fetal susceptibility to environmental carcinogens.
Revised: February 15, 2012 |
Published: April 1, 2012