Maternal and fetal tissue distribution of α-cypermethrin and permethrin in pregnant CD-1 mice

Pyrethroid insecticides are widely used throughout agriculture and household products. Recent studies suggest that prenatal exposure to these insecticides may adversely affect fetal development; however, little is known about the distribution of these chemicals in pregnant animals. The present study aimed to address this gap in knowledge by investigating the distribution of two commonly used pyrethroid insecticides, permethrin and α-cypermethrin, in maternal and fetal tissues of pregnant CD-1 mice. Dams were dosed from gestational days 6 to 16 via oral gavage with permethrin (1.5, 15, and 50 mg/kg), α-cypermethrin (0.3, 3, and 10 mg/kg), or corn oil vehicle. Pyrethroid levels were determined in gestational day 16 tissues collected 90 min after the final dose was administered. Across maternal tissues, levels of both pyrethroids were the highest in maternal ovaries, followed by liver and brain, respectively. In addition, levels of both pyrethroids in maternal tissues and placenta were significantly higher than those in the fetal body and amniotic fluid, suggesting that these compounds may exhibit low transfer across the mouse placenta. While additional toxicokinetic studies are needed to verify the time course of pyrethroids in the fetal compartment, these findings support investigation into indirect modes of action relevant to the effects of pyrethroids on mammalian fetal development.