Citation

Marinello WP, Gillera SEA, Han Y, Richardson JR, St Armour G, Horman BM, Patisaul HB. Mol. Cell. Endocrinol. 2023; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2023, North Holland Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.mce.2023.112041

PMID

37562579

Abstract

Gestational flame retardant (FR) exposure has been linked to heightened risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, but the mechanisms remain largely unknown. Historically, toxicologists have relied on traditional, inbred rodent models, yet those do not always best model human vulnerability or biological systems, especially social systems. Here we used prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster), a monogamous and bi-parental rodent, leveraged for decades to decipher the underpinnings of social behaviors, to examine the impact of fetal FR exposure on gene targets in the mid-gestational placenta and fetal brain. We previously established gestational exposure to the commercial mixture Firemaster 550 (FM 550) impairs sociality, particularly in males. FM 550 exposure disrupted placental monoamine production, particularly serotonin, and genes required for axon guidance and cellular respiration in the fetal brains. Effects were dose and sex specific. These data provide insights on the mechanisms by which FRs impair neurodevelopment and later in life social behaviors.

Language: en

Keywords

Pregnancy; Developmental toxicology; EDCs; Endocrine disruptors; Neurotoxicology; Organophosphate