Perinatal PCB exposure and its effect on the immune system of young rabbits.

Antibody mediated and cell mediated immune functions of offspring from New Zealand white rabbits fed control chow or chow containing 10, 100 or 250 ppm of Aroclor 1248 (PCB) were assessed. Only those offspring from mothers fed 250 ppm of PCB had a significantly lower contact sensitivity response to 2,4-dinitro, 1-fluorobenzene (DNFB). There was no significant decrease in either the plaque forming cell (PFC) response to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) or serum anti-SRBC antibody titer at any exposure level. Histopathologic examination of the spleen and thymus did not reveal any changes in cellularity that might be associated with immuno-suppression; nor did differential white blood cell counts or mitogen response of peripheral blood lymphocytes to PHA or Con-A differ significantly from controls.