US EPA

1406304 

Journal Article 

Effects of the polychlorinated biphenyl Aroclor 1242 on locomotor activity and on the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain of the gulf killifish, Fundulus grandis 

Fingerman, SW; Russell, LC 

1980 

Yes 

Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
ISSN: 0007-4861
EISSN: 1432-0800 

25 

4 

682-687 

English 

6108136 

10.1007/BF01985592 

WOS:A1980KQ72100029 

A study of the effects of the PCB Aroclor 1242 on neurotransmitters is presented. Included is a literature review of the effects of several pesticides on similar systems. In the brain of the killifish Fundulus grandis, norepinephrine (NE) levels decreased (controls = 2.5 mug/g, treated = 0.61 mug/g) when brain levels of Aroclor 1242 were 0.6 mug/g. The dopamine (DA) levels also decreased (controls = 0.91 mug/g, treated = 0.44 mug/g) when brain levels of Aroclor 1242 reached 0.4 mug/g. In other studies cited, dieldrin caused a depletion of both NE and DA in mallard ducks, but caused no changes in mice. Another investigation found that sublethal doses of methyl mercury decreased the levels of NE and DA in rats. DDT, however, caused a decrease of NE but no change in DA levels in rats. DDT and parathion both decreased NE and DA brain levels in goldfish. DDE and dieldrin reduced DA and NE levels in ring doves. It appears, therefore, that the effects of Aroclor 1242 are similar to those of several pesticides with respect to the action on the brain neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine.