Abstract
Concern has been raised that thyroid hormone disruptors (THDs) may potentially interfere with the developing brain, but effects of mild suppression of maternal THs by environmental contaminants on neonatal brain development are not fully understood. The comparative thyroid assay (CTA) is a screening test for offspring THDs, but it requires several animals and is criticized that reliance on serum THs alone as predictive markers of brain malfunction is inadequate. To verify feasibility of the downsized CTA but additional examination of brain THs levels and histopathology, we commenced internal-validation studies. This paper presents the data of the study where 6-propylthiouracil (6-PTU, 10 ppm) and sodium phenobarbital (NaPB, 1000 ppm) were dosed by feeding from gestational days (GD)6–20, and from GD6 to lactation day 21. The modified CTA detected 6-PTU-induced severe (>70%) suppression of serum THs in dams, with >50% suppressed serum/brain TH levels in offspring and brain heterotopia in postnatal day 21 pups. The modified CTA also detected NaPB-induced mild (<35%) suppression of serum THs in dams, with mild (<35%) reduction of serum/brain TH levels in fetuses but not in pups. These findings suggest that the modified CTA may have a potential as a screening test for offspring THDs.
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