Interactions in developmental toxicology: Concurrent exposure to perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and stress in pregnant mice

The maternal and developmental toxicity of combined exposure to restraint stress and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was assessed in mice. On gestation Days 6–18, four groups of plug-positive female mice were orally exposed to PFOS at 0, 1.5, 3 and 6 mg/kg/day. Four additional groups of plug-positive animals received the same PFOS doses being restrained during 30 min three times per day. A control group was also included. Cesarean sections were performed on Day 18 of gestation and fetuses were weighed and examined for external, internal and skeletal malformations and variations. Before sacrifice of the dams, blood was collected and serum samples were prepared for thyroid hormones (total and free T3 and T4) and corticosterone analyses. The results of the present study show that both PFOS and restraint stress induced maternal toxicity. In turn, PFOS-induced fetal toxicity was evidenced by increased prenatal mortality. The only effect of restraint on fetal toxicity was a reduction on body weight and an increased prenatal mortality in fetuses concurrently exposed to 1.5 mg/kg of PFOS and restraint. PFOS-induced adverse effects on maternal and fetal toxicity in mice were observed at lower doses than those previously reported.