US EPA

2174548 

Journal Article 

Effects of perinatal exposure to low doses of PCB 153 and PCB 126 on immune functions in kids 

Lyche, JL; Larsen, HJS; Skaare, JU; Tverdal, A; Dahl, E; Grethe, I; Johansen, M; Ropstad, E 

2005 

1 

Toxicology Letters
ISSN: 0378-4274
EISSN: 1879-3169 

DART/TER/5001714 

158 

Suppl 1 

S87-S87 

English 

WOS:000202991900188 

In this study we report the effects of perinatal exposure to environmental levels of PCB 153 and PCB 126 on postnatal immune responses by assessing white blood cell counts, in vitro lymphocyte proliferations, the levels of total IgG and immunoglobulins to specific microbes, and immune responses following immunization of the kids at 2 weeks of age. PCB 153 suppressed the maternal immunity demonstrated by reduced transfer of maternal immunoglobulin G (IgG) and specific antibodies to Arcanobacterium pyogenes, Mannheimia haemolytica and Reo virus (REO-1), Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis and Equine influenza virus (EIV-1) in the newborn kids. Furthermore, the antibody response against EIV-1 was significantly higher two weeks following immunization. The same group had significantly higher numbers of white blood cells, neutrophils, and lymphocytes at 2 week of age and significantly lower lymphocyte response to the mitogens PHA and Con A. PCB 126 exposure reduced the levels of maternal antibodies to REO-1, increased the concentrations of maternal antibodies to tetanus toxoid and reduced the postnatal levels of monocytes in plasma. The results suggest that PCB 153 and PCB 126 at environmental relevant levels modulate immunologic funtions.