Effect of Prenatal and Postnatal Exposure to Low Doses of DDT on Catecholamine Secretion in Rats in Different Period of Ontogeny

Abstract

We studied the effects of prenatal and postnatal exposure to low doses of DDT on secretion of basic catecholamines epinephrine and norepinephrine in pubertal and adult rats. It was found that the endocrine-disrupting chemical under study led to a progressive decrease in the content of epinephrine and especially norepinephrine in systemic circulation, which indicated their disturbed secretion by the adrenal medulla and sympathetic nervous system cells. In animals exposed to low doses of DDT in both pre- and postnatal periods, the decrease in catecholamine secretion after puberty was less pronounced than in animals exposed only during the postnatal period, which can indicate the development of compensatory processes.