Effect of polybrominated biphenyls on hepatic microsomal metabolism of estrogens and uterotropic action of administered estrogen in rats.

Perinatal exposure to polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) increased the hepatic microsomal metabolism of estradiol, estrone, and ethynylestradiol in vitro. Pretreatment with PBBs decreased the effect of estradiol administered exogenously on uterine estrogen cytosolic receptor concentration. The effect of exogenous estradiol on uterine weight and uterine RNA content was also reduced by perinatal exposure to PBBs. Therefore, metabolism of estrogens is altered by PBBs.