Immunological Consequences from Exposure to Benzo(a)pyrene During Pregnancy

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Abstract
Progeny and maternal immune status after benzo(a)pyrene (BP) exposure of mothers at midpregnancy is disrupted in fetal liver (FL), in spleen and in thymus during pregnancy and postnatally. Mice suffer deficiencies in splenic and thymic mixed lymphocyte responses (MLR), and disorientations of T antigen expressing cells, punctuated by exorbitant increases in Lyt2, especially in FL, FL Lyt2 do not suppress an MLR, while Lytl mediate suppression. Isolated Thyl show a weak response to Concanavalin A: FL Thyl weakly express an MLR. Maternal macrophages and progeny B cells are also functionally abnormal. Thus, BP Induces generalized immune deficiency that may affect ontogeny and which is potentially deleterious to health.