Influence of organochlorine pesticides on ATPase activities of microsomal fractions of bovine oviductal and endometrial cells

In the present study the effects of organochlorine pesticides: o,p'-DDT, p, p "-DDT, methoxychlor, and lindane on ATPase activities of microsomal fract ions of bovine oviductal and endometrial cells were investigated. We were n ot able to characterize a Ca2+ stimulated ATPase, whereas 57 and 15% of the total ATPase activity were sensitive to Mg2+ in the oviductal and endometr ial fractions, respectively. After 10 min preincubation with the four organ ochlorines, a significant inhibition was found only with o,p "-DDT at 32 mu M (27.9%) and 64 mu M (35.6%) in the oviductal microsomal fraction and at 64 mu M (32.2%) in that of the endometrium. Increasing the preincubation ti me to 30 min, the Mg2+ ATPase in the endometrial fraction was significantly inhibited by all four pesticides at 64 mu M, but in the oviductal fraction only at 64 mu M o,p "-DDT. It is suggested that organochlorine pesticides can have an influence on cells responsible for reproduction. (C) 1999 Elsev ier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.