Maternal and fetal blood pharmacokinetics and organ distribution of atrazine, propazine, simazine and their metabolites in pregnant rats after chronic oral administration

Environmental contamination by chlorotriazines has been evidenced in mother-child cohort suggesting more detailed risk assessment of these compounds in drinking water. Exposure of rodents to atrazine has been associated to alterations of endocrine and reproductive functions by disrupting neuroendocrine control at hypothalamus level. Perinatal exposure to low doses of atrazine has been associated to reproductive dysfunction, and to behavioral abnormalities in adult exposed during embryogenesis. The objectives of the current investigation were to (1) evaluate the influence of physico-chemical properties of chlorotriazines on tissue distribution in pregnant rats and in fetuses, (2) gain a better understanding of fetal distribution of chlorotriazines in specific tissues, particularly in brain.
Serial blood samples were obtained from pregnant rats after administration of atrazine (ATZ), propazine (PRO) and simazine (SIM) via oral route at a dose of 10 mg/kg from day 15 to day 19. Maternal an...