
%0 Journal Article
%A Jeung, V.-H. Dang and E.-B. 
%T 266 EFFECT OF 2,2&#8242;,4,4&#8242;-TETRABROMODIPHENYL ETHER ON THE EXPRESSION OF CALBINDIN-d9 k IN THE UTERUS OF IMMATURE RATS
%J Reproduction, Fertility and Development
%D 2006/12/12
%V 19
%N 1
%P 249-249
%K 
%R https://doi.org/10.1071/RDV19N1AB266
%U https://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/RDV19N1AB266 
%X Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are well known as one class of halogenated organic brominated flame retardants. They were found in the air, soil, sediments, humans, wildlife, and fish. To date, a total of 209 PBDE congeners have been reported. Among them, 2,2&#8242;,4,4&#8242;-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) is the dominant congener found in humans and animals. A number of studies suggest that BDE-47 possesses the potential to disrupt endocrine and reproductive function(s) via diverse mechanisms. In addition, BDE-47 has been demonstrated to act as a developmental neurotoxicant. Recently, the toxicokinetic properties of BDE-47 have been investigated in order to elucidate the health risk of BDE-47. Thus, in the present study, we employed immature rats as a developmental model to examine the potential involvement of BDE-47 in the expression of uterine calbindin-d9 k (CaBP-9 k), a novel biomarker for screening endocrine disruptors. Immature rats (n = 3) at post-natal Day 16 were treated with different doses (50, 100, and 200 mg kg-1 of BW) of BDE-47 consecutively for 3 days and euthanized at 24 h after the last injection. After treatment with this chemical, the effects on uterine weight gain and CaBP-9 k mRNA were examined by uterotrophic and RT-PCR assays, respectively. Treatment with a high dose (200 mg kg-1 of BW/day) of this chemical resulted in a significant increase in the uterine weight in immature rats, whereas a modest increase was observed with lower doses (50 and 100 mg kg-1 of BW/day). In addition, treatment with BDE-47 at all doses increased the expression level of CaBP-9 k mRNA compared to control. Taken together, these results demonstrate that BDE-47 exposure resulted in an increase of uterotrophic response and CaBP-9 k mRNA in the uterus of immature rats. A further analysis in a time response of this chemical is required to bring new insight into the adverse effect(s) of BDE-47 during the critical window stage of the developing reproductive system. 
