The Effects of Perinatal Exposures to TAML Catalysts on Immune Cells and the Spleen in Mice Prior to Puberty

Presenter

Alden H. Thomas

Campus

UMass Amherst

Sponsor

Laura N. Vandenberg, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, UMass Amherst

Schedule

Session 4, 2:30 PM - 3:15 PM [Schedule by Time][Poster Grid for Time/Location]

Location

Poster Board A51, Campus Center Auditorium, Row 3 (A41-A60) [Poster Location Map]

Abstract

Tetra-amido macrocyclic ligand (TAML) catalysts are versatile in their ability to break down contaminants that are considered difficult to degrade in environmental matrices. For example, NT7, a new TAML catalyst, can effectively break down hormonal contaminants such as ethinyl estradiol, an active ingredient in contraceptive birth control, in water when combined with low levels of hydrogen peroxide. For this reason, NT7 and other TAML catalysts are being considered for use in greywater treatment (especially in areas with high concentrations of birth control in wastewater) which may allow for the reuse of that water. In this study, pregnant mice were administered NT7 in their drinking water throughout pregnancy and lactation, and their male offspring were euthanized and subjected to necropsies prior to puberty, during puberty, and in adulthood. Organ weight analysis revealed that at postnatal day (PND) 21, prior to puberty, spleen size was reduced in mice exposed to NT7. The spleen is a critical aspect of the immune system, so we next evaluated the cells of the spleen to determine if they were also affected by NT7 and blood smears that were collected from offspring at the time of necropsy. Stereology methods have been used to quantify white blood cells in blood smears. Our analyses of the spleen and blood smears together will allow us to determine if the effects observed on the whole organ might affect the composition of the splenic cells or circulating immune cells following NT7 exposure.

Keywords

Immune cells, Spleen, TAML

Research Area

Biological Organisms

SIMILAR ABSTRACTS (BY KEYWORD)