Transplacental transfer of polychlorinated biphenyls and polybrominated diphenyl ethers in arctic beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas)

Environ Toxicol Chem. 2012 Feb;31(2):296-300. doi: 10.1002/etc.750. Epub 2011 Dec 21.

Abstract

This study found that arctic beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) transferred, on average, 11.4% (7.5 mg) and 11.1% (0.1 mg) of their polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) blubber burden to their near-term fetuses. A single physicochemical parameter, log K(OW), largely explained this transplacental transfer for PCBs (r(2) =0.79, p < 0.00001) and PBDEs (r(2) = 0.37, p = 0.007), with congeners having a log K(OW) < 6.5 preferentially transferred to the fetus. Blubber concentrations of 257 ng/g lipid weight (lw) PCBs and 3.8 ng/g (lw) PBDEs in beluga fetuses highlights the exposure to endocrine-disrupting compounds during a critical developmental stage. The implications of detecting these levels of legacy PCBs and the flame retardant PBDEs in unborn arctic beluga are unclear.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Arctic Regions
  • Beluga Whale / metabolism*
  • Endocrine Disruptors / metabolism
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Female
  • Flame Retardants / metabolism
  • Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers / metabolism*
  • Maternal Exposure*
  • Maternal-Fetal Exchange
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls / metabolism*
  • Pregnancy
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / metabolism*

Substances

  • Endocrine Disruptors
  • Flame Retardants
  • Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls