MODULATION OF HEPATIC GLUTATHIONE SYSTEM OF ENZYMES IN SUCKLING MOUSE PUPS EXPOSED TRANSLACTATIONALLY TO MALATHION

The present study examines the transmammary modulation of the glutathione system of enzymes in the F-1 generation of mouse pups postnatally exposed to malathion. Lactating Swiss albino mice received either 30 or 100 mg malathion kg(-1) body wt. (98% pure) for 14 or 21 days postpartum. The acid-soluble sulphydryl content was significantly increased (P < 0.001) in the liver of 14-day-old pups of dams that had received the higher malathion dose. A similar significant increase was seen in the 21-day-old male pups of dams that had received 30 mg (P < 0.05) or 100 mg (P < 0.01) malathion kg(-1) body wt. Darns showed an enhanced hepatic glutathione S-transferase activity following treatment with 100 mg melathion kg(-1) body wt. for 14 days (P < 0.02) and 21 days (P < 0.001). Pups of either age groups also showed enhanced hepatic glutathion S-transferase activity (P < 0.001). A significant enhancement in glutathione reductase activity was observed with malathion treatment in livers of dams and pups (P < 0.001). However, dams that had received 30 mg malathion kg(-1) body wt. daily for 21 days or 100 mg malathion kg(-1) body wt. for either 14 or 21 days showed significantly reduced hepatic glutathione peroxidase activity (P < 0.01, P < 0.001). A significant decrease in glutathione peroxidase activity was also observed in the liver of the 21-day-old male (P < 0.01) and female (P < 0.02) pups of dams that were treated with the higher dose of malathion.