EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTALLY RELEVANT CONCENTRATIONS OF 2,3,7,8-TCDD ONDOMESTIC CHICKEN IMMUNE FUNCTION AND CYP450 ACTIVITY - F-1 GENERATIONAND EGG INJECTION STUDIES

Domestic chickens (Gallus gallus) were used as a surrogate species for wild turkey to assess risk from environmental 2,3,7,8-TCDD exposure. Lymphocyte proliferation and CYP450 induction were assessed in adults exposed via i.m. injection, in F-1 14-day old hatchlings, in F-1 adult s (30-weeks old), and in 14-day old hatchlings exposed via yolk sac in jections. Hatchlings from injected eggs exhibited a dose-response in l ymphocyte proliferation, IgM titers, EROD, and PROD endpoints. Exposed adults showed a significant dose-dependent increase in CYP450 inducti on. F-1 14-day old chicks exhibited a significant dose-dependent suppr ession of B-cell proliferation and induction of CYP450 enzymes. F-1 ad ult proliferative responses exhibited B-cell suppression, that was not statistically significant. Significant sex-dependent EROD and MROD in duction was also observed in F-1 adults, indicating mixed-function oxi dase imprinting from maternal exposure. (C)1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.