Distribution of polychlorobiphenyls in pregnant mice and fetuses on various days of gestation

14C-2,4',5-trichlorobiphenyl (test series A) and a laboratory mixture of 14C-PCBs, which in addition to 2,4',5-trichlorobiphenyl, contained dichlorobiphenyl and other trichlorobiphenyl isomers (test series B), were administered orally to pregnant mice on the 13th, 15th and 17th day post conceptionem (p.c.), respectively. The development of the fetuses was accompanied by increasing activity concentrations and changes in the distribution patterns of the radioactive PCBs (and/or metabolites). In either test series, one day after administration the 18-day old fetus showed approximately a 2.5 times higher activity concentration than the fetus of an earlier developmental stage (14th day p.c.). Considering the weight gain, the quantity of activity per fetus increased almost tenfold. PCBs were concentrated only in the intestine of the terminal fetus, probably because of an increased intake of PCB-containing amniotic fluid. The affinity of the PCBs, especially of the 2,4',5 trichlorobiphenyl, to lipids, and the increasing lipid content of the fetal tissue may offer an additional explantation of the increase in activity concentration during the fetal development.

[Endometriosis of the kidney (author's transl)]

Endometriosis of the left kidney complicated by urolithiasis is described. This represents the tenth case in the world literature of kidney endometriosis. The most common symptom is low back pain. Macroscopic hematuria was only present in half the cases. The preoperative radiological findings have been interpreted as tumor in four cases, contracted, pyelonephritic kidney in two cases and congenital abnormalities in two cases.

[Delayed implantation and early developmental defects in the mouse caused by PCB: 2,2'-dichlorobiphenyl (author's transl)]

Pregnant mice administered per os during the days 1--3 (plug day = day 0) post conception (p.c.) with 375 mg 2,2'-dichlorobiphenyl/kilograms/day revealed on day 18 p.c. increased number of resorptions and doses up from 500 milligrams/kilograms/day led to a substantial retardation of the prenatal development. Based on the investigations during the early development it is concluded, that retardation of the fetus is caused by a delayed implantation. It is assumed, that increased resorption is due to kyematopathies detected during the periimplantation period.

Distribution of 14-C-PCB during fetal period. Whole-body autoradiography of pregnant mice

14-C-PCB containing 85% 2,2'-Dichlorobiphenyl was injected intramusculary in pregnant mice. The distribution of radioactivity was studied by using whole-body autoradiography technique. After its removal from the injection site, the major part of radioactivity was accumulated in maternal excretory organs: intestine, kidney, and urinary bladder. This indicated a rapid elimination of the 2,2'-Dichlorobiphenyl. High radioactivity could also be found in the gall bladder and a large amount in the liver. Comparatively less radioactive substance was present in the fat depots, skin, lung, and blood. At the beginning of the fetal period the uptake by fetuses was very low but about one day before the parturation moderate uptake occurred. At the end of gestation in fetuses, radioactivity was present predominately in the intestine and urinary bladder; it could also be detected in the liver and kidneys.