Interaction between Toxicant and Nutrition (VIII)

Effects of Dietary Calcium Levels on the PCB Deposition in Dam and Fetus of Rats during Gestation

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to clarify whether dietary calcium levels would be related to the depositions of PCB and calcium in dam and fetus of rats fed with various diets containing 100ppm PCB (Kanechlor 500). The results obtained were as follows:
1) The increase of liver weight in pregnant rats treated with PCB was significantly promoted in the deficiency of calcium in diets.
2) It was recognized that the amounts of ash and calcium decreased markedly in the bone and fetus of pregnant rats fed with calcium deficient diet containing PCB.
3) In the liver and bone of pregnant rats, the PCB deposition of calcium deficient group was higher about two times than that of calcium normal group.
4) Under the administration of calcium deficient diet to pregnant rats, PCB transferred from the dam to the fetus during gestation increased remarkably.
5) No significant change was found in external and skeletal abnormalities of the fetuses from all experimental groups.