TY - JOUR
T1 - Testosterone concentrations and male genital organ morphology in Greenland sledge dogs (Canis familiaris) dietary exposed to organohalogen contaminants
AU - Kirkegaard, Maja
AU - Sonne, Christian
AU - Dietz, Rune
AU - Jenssen, Bjørn Munro
AU - Leifsson, Pall Skuli
AU - Jensen, Jens-Erik Bech
AU - Letcher, Robert J.
PY - 2010/5
Y1 - 2010/5
N2 - This study investigated whether low-level, long-term in utero and post-natal exposure to organohalogen pollutants disrupts male reproductive organ morphology and testosterone production in Greenland sledge dogs (Canis familiaris), as a model of Arctic top predators feeding on marine mammals. Six male dogs were followed for 1 year and testosterone concentrations, testes/baculum morphology and baculum bone mineral density (BMD) was determined. Three males were exposed to organohalogenated contaminants (OHCs) in utero through maternal dietary intake of minke whale blubber (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), with a post-weaning ΣOHC intake of 10.4- 11.7 μg kg-1day-1 resulting in an adipose tissue range of ΣOHC 4518- 5729 ng (g lw) -1 after 1 year. Three control males were exposed to very low concentrations of OHCs through pork fat. No significant differences were seen in plasma testosterone concentrations, baculum weight, BMD, and testicular length in the six male dogs (control, n=3 and exposed, n=3) measured at 3, 5, 7, 9, and 12 months of age. Testicular weights were significantly lower in the exposed group (p=0.015, n=2). Although this study had a limited number of animals, it was observed that in utero and the following 12 months of chronic exposure to a complex mixture of contaminants in the form of naturally accumulated OHCs does not affects testosterone levels, but possibly affects testicular weights in sledge dogs.
AB - This study investigated whether low-level, long-term in utero and post-natal exposure to organohalogen pollutants disrupts male reproductive organ morphology and testosterone production in Greenland sledge dogs (Canis familiaris), as a model of Arctic top predators feeding on marine mammals. Six male dogs were followed for 1 year and testosterone concentrations, testes/baculum morphology and baculum bone mineral density (BMD) was determined. Three males were exposed to organohalogenated contaminants (OHCs) in utero through maternal dietary intake of minke whale blubber (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), with a post-weaning ΣOHC intake of 10.4- 11.7 μg kg-1day-1 resulting in an adipose tissue range of ΣOHC 4518- 5729 ng (g lw) -1 after 1 year. Three control males were exposed to very low concentrations of OHCs through pork fat. No significant differences were seen in plasma testosterone concentrations, baculum weight, BMD, and testicular length in the six male dogs (control, n=3 and exposed, n=3) measured at 3, 5, 7, 9, and 12 months of age. Testicular weights were significantly lower in the exposed group (p=0.015, n=2). Although this study had a limited number of animals, it was observed that in utero and the following 12 months of chronic exposure to a complex mixture of contaminants in the form of naturally accumulated OHCs does not affects testosterone levels, but possibly affects testicular weights in sledge dogs.
U2 - 10.1080/02772240903143836
DO - 10.1080/02772240903143836
M3 - Journal article
SN - 0277-2248
VL - 92
SP - 955
EP - 967
JO - Toxicological and Environmental Chemistry
JF - Toxicological and Environmental Chemistry
IS - 5
ER -
