Objective To evaluate the effects of prenatal methoxychlor exposure in trimester of gestation on metabolic syndrome in adult male offspring rats.
Methods Pregnant rats were allocated to a control group and a methoxychlor(MXC)group, and received intragastric administration starting from gestational day 11(GD11). Male offspring(2 retained of each maternal rats)were normally reared to adulthood(3 months after birth)and then were given an oral glucose tolerance test. After a week, the rats' fasting serum were collected to detect glucose, total cholesterol, and triglycerides by automatic biochemical analyzer; C-creative protein(CRP), superoxide dismutase(SOD), malondialdehyde(MDA), high density lipoprotein(HDL), and low density lipoprotein(LDL)by commercial kits; and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and adiponectin by ELISA.
Results Compared with the control group, lower pup birth weight and higher incidence of intrauterine growth retardation(IUGR)were found in the MXC group(P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively), but no significant difference in the body weight growth rate was found. The MXC group showed no difference with the controls in blood glucose levels at each time spot and area under curve(AUC)of blood glucose. The offspring of the MXC group showed lower level of serum HDL than the control offspring(P<0.01), and for LDL, the results were reverse(P<0.05); while no difference was found in basic glucose, total cholesterol, and triglycerides between the two groups. The serum CRP of the MXC offspring was statistically higher than that of the control offspring(P<0.01), TNF-α and MDA were elevated but not significantly, and adiponectin and SOD were decreased but not significantly.
Conclusion Prenatal methoxychlor exposure can not lead to catch-up growth in the adult male offspring rats with intrauterine growth retardation. Metabolic disorder is demonstrated in the development of male offspring rats, and some indicators suggest potential risk of metabolic syndrome.
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