Effects of peripubertal exposure to triphenyltin on female sexual development of the rat

Abstract: Triphenyltin (TPT) belongs to the group of organotin compounds which have been shown to affect reproduction in mammals. It is used as a fungicide and antifouling agent and the main source of human exposure is via food. We studied the effects of 2 or 6mg TPT/kg bw on female sexual development using a modification of the Rodent 20-Day Thyroid/Pubertal Female Assay. Moreover, the effect of TPT before the onset of puberty was investigated. Beginning at postnatal day (PND) 23 female Wistar rats were treated per gavage until either PND 33 or the first estrus after PND 53. A delay in the completion of vaginal opening (VO) was observed in the 6mg TPT group, while the 2mg TPT group showed advanced VO. Significantly increased ovarian weights were observed in both treatment groups. Steroid hormone levels and ovarian aromatase activity were affected after exposure to 6mg TPT/kg bw, while treatment with 2mg TPT/kg bw resulted in minor changes of these endpoints. We conclude that peripubertal exposure to 6mg TPT/kg bw, and to a lesser extent to 2mg TPT/kg bw, affects female sexual development. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]