Maternal Exposure to Triclosan Impairs Thyroid Homeostasis and Female Pubertal Development in Wistar Rat Offspring

Although significant progress has been made in studying how triclosan affects the male reproductive tract, it is unknown whether this potent antibacterial agent can affect pregnancy and female pubertal development. Maternal exposure to TRICLOSAN on thyroid homeostasis (TH) and reproductive tract development in female Wistar rats was studied. Dams were exposed daily to TRICLOSAN (0, 1, 10, or 50 mg/kg/day) from 8 days before mating to lactation day 21. Offspring were also exposed after weaning. In vivo TRICLOSAN estrogenic activity was screened by uterotrophic assay and vaginal opening (VO), with first estrus, uterus and ovary weight being analyzed in offspring. Dam blood samples were taken during pregnancy and lactation to determine the effect of TRICLOSAN on TH. No external signs of toxicity or differences in mean numbers of implantation sites were observed in treated-rats. Triclosan treatment decreased total serum T4 and T3 in pregnant rats and also decreased sex ratio, pup body weight on PND20 and delayed VO in offspring. In addition, the highest dose of TRICLOSAN significantly decreased the live birth index (%) and 6-day survival index. Results show that Triclosan impairs THYROID HOMEOSTASIS and reproductive toxicity in adult rats and produces fetal toxicity in offspring exposed in utero, lactation, and after weaning. Fil: Rodríguez, Pablo E. A.. Provincia de Córdoba. Ministerio de Ciencia y Técnica. Centro de Excelencia en Productos y Procesos de Córdoba; Argentina Fil: Sanchez, Monica Silvina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra; Argentina. Provincia de Córdoba. Ministerio de Ciencia y Técnica. Centro de Excelencia en Productos y Procesos de Córdoba; Argentina