Responses of nonhuman primates to a polybrominated biphenyl mixture.

In a series of experiments, rhesus monkeys have been given in their diets 0.3, 1.5, and 25 ppm of a commercial polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) (as FireMaster FF-1). The seven adult female monkeys receiving 0.3 ppm PBB have been on the treatment regime for 15 months and have consumed over 22 mg of PBB. During the initial 6 months of exposure, they lost weight and 2 of the animals develop sterile abscesses. At 6 months, 4 of the 7 animals had flattened and lengthened serum progesterone peaks. This change was correlated with an increase in length of their menstrual cycles. After 6 months of PBB exposure, the animals were bred. Two of the 7 animals showed excessive and prolonged implantation bleeding. Two abortions and 5 live births were recorded. All of the experimental infants were smaller than the controls at birth. The animals receiving a diet containing 1.5 ppm PBB for 36 weeks (total intake 70 mg) have shown a moderate weight loss and decrease in serum cholesterol. Similar changes have also been recorded ...