Effects of polychlorinated biphenyls and polybrominated diphenyl ethers on the growth and gonadal development of African clawed frogs(Xenopus laevis)

【Objective】 The effects of polychlorinated biphenyls and polybrominated diphenyl ethers on the growth and gonadal development of African clawed frogs(Xenopus laevis) were studied.【Method】 Xenopus laevis was exposed to 0.5 μg/L PCB-118,0.5 μg/L PBDE-209,0.5 μg/L PCB-118 and 0.5 μg/L PBDE-209 mixture in water from NF stage 46/47 to one month postmetamorphosis.Followed by another five months without exposure,the gonads of frogs were examined in gross morphology and histology.During the exposure days,the growth and survival rate were recorded every day.【Result】 PCB-118 delayed the metamorphic time and the ovary development.PBDE-209 had no effect on the metamorphosis,survival rate,gross gonadal morphology and the sex ratio,but the histological examination suggested that the tests contained early oocytes and disordered sperms.There were no effects observed in the PCB-118 and PBDE-209 co-exposure group.【Conclusion】 The results indicated that PBDE-209 can affect the male gonadal histologic structure.