Histopathologic changes in the uterus, cervix and vagina of immature CD-1 mice exposed to low doses of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in a uterotrophic assay

The estrogenic and antiestrogenic potential of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was assessed using an immature mouse uterotrophic assay and by histologic evaluation of the uterus, cervix and vagina following treatment. Female offspring of CD-1 dams were weaned at 18 days old and assigned to groups of equal weight, and received 0, 0.01, 0.1, or 1 mg PFOA/kg BW/d by gavage with or without 17-β estradiol (E2, 500 μg/kg/d) from PND 18–20 (n = 8/treatment/block). At 24 h after the third dose (PND 21), uteri were removed and weighed. Absolute and relative uterine weights were significantly increased in the 0.01 mg/kg PFOA only group. Characteristic estrogenic changes were present in all E2-treated mice; however, they were minimally visible in the 0.01 PFOA only mice. These data suggest that at a low dose PFOA produces minimal histopathologic changes in the reproductive tract of immature female mice, and does not antagonize the histopathologic effects of E2.

► We assess whether perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is estrogenic or antiestrogenic.
► We use an immature mouse uterotrophic assay and histopathology.
► Uterine weights were significantly increased in the 0.01 mg/kg PFOA only group.
► Characteristic estrogenic changes were minimally visible in the 0.01 PFOA only mice.
► A low dose PFOA does not antagonize the histopathologic effects of E2.