Effect of toxaphene exposure on immune responses in mice

Abstract

Toxaphene was fed to female weanling Swiss‐Webster mice at dosages of 10, 100, and 200 ppm for 8 wk. Immunologic assays revealed depressed IgG antibody formation in those animals receiving 100 and 200 ppm toxaphene, as compared to controls. Cell‐mediated immune responses were not affected in the toxaphene‐exposed mice. In another experiment, mature female mice fed the same amounts of toxaphene were mated 3 wk after feeding began and were maintained on the diets until 3 wk after parturition, at which time the pups were weaned onto the control ration. Assays performed on the offspring 8 wk after their birth revealed suppressed antibody formation in the 100‐ppm‐toxaphene group and enhanced antibody formation in the 200‐ppm group. The cell‐mediated immune response was suppressed in the offspring from the 100‐ppm group, while no change from the controls occurred in the other groups. Phagocytic ability of macrophages was significantly reduced in all toxaphene‐treated groups, but to a greater extent in the offspring of the mice that consumed 100 ppm toxaphene.