The Effect of Exposure to Perfluorooctanoic Acid during Pregnancy on Myelin Density of Corpus Callosum of Newborn Rat

Disruption of myelination process due to exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) can lead to movement disorders. In the present study, the effects of exposure to PFOA during pregnancy on myelin degradation in brain of newborn rat were investigated.

Fertile Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups of control, sham, and three groups receiving PFOA at doses of 1, 5, and 10 mg/kg body weight. At the end of the study, the brains of 20-day-old neonatal rats were removed and examined using loxal fast blue and immunohistochemical staining. Finally, the data were analyzed using SPSS software. </em>

The mean myelin density in the group receiving PFOA at a dose of 10 mg/kg was significantly lower than the other groups (P < 0.050).

The results showed that exposure to PFOA during pregnancy can lead to disruption of myelin production process; so, it is recommended to avoid exposure to toxic agents such as PFOA during pregnancy.