Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health

The Korean Society for Preventive Medicine (대한예방의학회)
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Effects of Chromium (VI) Exposure on the Placental Function and Reproduction in Rats

6가 크롬 폭로가 랫트의 태반 기능과 출산에 미치는 영향

  • Lee, Heun (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan) ;
  • Moon, Deog-Hwan (Institute of Industrial Medicine & Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Busan Paik Hospital, Inje University) ;
  • Lee, Chae-Un (Institute of Industrial Medicine & Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Busan Paik Hospital, Inje University) ;
  • Kang, Sung-Goo (School of Biotechnology and Biomedical Science, Inje University) ;
  • Son, Byung-Chul (Institute of Industrial Medicine & Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Busan Paik Hospital, Inje University) ;
  • Kim, Dae-Hwan (Institute of Industrial Medicine & Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Busan Paik Hospital, Inje University) ;
  • Lee, Chang-Hee (Institute of Industrial Medicine & Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Busan Paik Hospital, Inje University) ;
  • Kim, Jung-Won (Institute of Industrial Medicine & Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Busan Paik Hospital, Inje University) ;
  • Lee, Chae-Kwan (Institute of Industrial Medicine & Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Busan Paik Hospital, Inje University) ;
  • Chun, Jin-Ho (Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Inje University)
  • 이헌 (울산대학교 의과대학 산업.환경의학교실) ;
  • 문덕환 (인제대학교 산업의학연구소.부산백병원 산업의학과) ;
  • 이채언 (인제대학교 산업의학연구소.부산백병원 산업의학과) ;
  • 강성구 (인제대학교 의생명공대학 생명공학과) ;
  • 손병철 (인제대학교 산업의학연구소.부산백병원 산업의학과) ;
  • 김대환 (인제대학교 산업의학연구소.부산백병원 산업의학과) ;
  • 이창희 (인제대학교 산업의학연구소.부산백병원 산업의학과) ;
  • 김정원 (인제대학교 산업의학연구소.부산백병원 산업의학과) ;
  • 이채관 (인제대학교 산업의학연구소.부산백병원 산업의학과) ;
  • 전진호 (인제대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실)
  • Published : 2004.06.01
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Abstract

Objectives : This study aimed to investigate the toxic effects of chromium (VI) on the placental function and reproduction in rats. For the study, the placental prolactin-growth hormone (PRL-GH) gene expression, placental trophoblast cell differentiation and reproductive data were analyzed. Methods : The pregnancies of F344 Fisher rats were checked by the presence of a copulatory plug or sperm in the vaginal smear, which was defined as day 0 of the pregnancy. Pregnant rats were divided into the three groups. The control group was given tap water (chromium level < 0.001 ppm) and the remaining groups were given 250 or 750 ppm of chromium (VI) [as potassium dichromate], from day 7 to 19 of the pregnancy. Rats were sacrificed at days 11 and 20 of pregnancy. The mRNA levels of PRL-GH and Pit-1a and b isotype genes were analyzed by Northern blot hybridization and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The hormonal concentration was analyzed by radioimmunoassay, and the differentiation of placental trophoblast cells were observed by histochemical studies. Reproductive data, such as placental and fetal weights, pregnancy period, and litter size, were surveyed at day 20 of pregnancy and after birth. A statistical analysis was carried out using the SAS program (version 8.1). Results : The mRNA levels of the prolactin-growth hormone (PRL-GH) family of genes were dose dependently reduced by chromium exposure. The mRNA levels of Pit-1a and b isotype genes that induce the expression of the PRL-GH family of genes were also reduced by chromium exposure. The PRL-GH hormonal concentration in the rat placenta, fetus and maternal blood were decreased by chromium exposure. In the middle stage of pregnancy (day 11), a high dose of chromium suppressed the differentiation of spongiotrophoblast cells that secret the PRLGH hormones. In the last stage of pregnancy (day 20), a high dose of chromium induced apoptosis of placental cells. Reproductive data, such as placental and fetal weights, litter size, were reduced, but the pregnancy period was extended in the group exposed to chromium compared with the controls. Conclusion : Chromium (VI) disrupts the ordered functions of the placenta, which leads to reproductive disorders in rats.

Keywords

References

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