The focus of the project is to evaluate the effects of three persistent organic pollutants (PCB 118, PBDE 99 and PBDE 47) on motoractivity and sexual behaviour in pre- and postnatally exposed offspring. These endocrine active substances are known to interfere with thyroid hormone status.

PCB 118 Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were used extensively as lubricants in electrical generators and transformers and due to their long half-life, are still present in the environment, the food chain and human adipose tissue. The 118 congener is most frequently detected in human tissue samples. A correlation between TSH level and tissue concentration of PCB 118 has been observed in children, indicating that this congener may have a 2-3 fold more pronounced effect on thyroid gland function than the so called “dioxin-like” PCB congeners.

PBDE 99 and 47 Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are one of the three main commercial flame retardant products used in plastics, textiles, polyurethane foams and electronic circuitry The human body burden of PBDEs is steadily increasing and the 99 and 47 congeners are the most frequently found in human samples.

Kuriyama SN, I. Chahoud In utero exposure to low-dose 2,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB 118) impairs male fertility and alters neurobehavior in rat offspring. Toxicology. 2004 Oct 1;202(3):185-97.
PMID: 15337582 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Kuriyama SN, Talsness CE, Grote K, Chahoud I. Developmental exposure to low dose PBDE 99: effects on male fertility and neurobehavior in rat offspring. Environ Health Perspect. 2005 Feb;113(2):149-54.
PMID: 15687051 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Talsness CE, Shakibaei M, Kuriyama SN, Wichert Grande S, Sterner-Kock A, Schnitker P, de Souza C, Grote K, Chahoud I. Ultrastructural changes observed in rat ovaries following in utero and lactational exposure to low doses of a polybrominated flame retardant. Toxicol Let. 2005 157: 189-202.
PMID: 15917144 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]