Estrogenic effects of 5 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

  Objective   To identify the estrogenic effects of 5 poly cyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs).

  Methods   Ratuterine weightassay and M CF-7 cell proliferation bioassay.

  Results   Benz(a)pyrene, 7, 12-dimet hylbenz(a)anthr acene and pentacene not only induced M CF-7 cell proliferation(P < 0 01)but also increased ratuterin weight(P < 0.01).Benz(a)anthracene and chr ysene neither induced M CF-7 cell proliferation(P > 0.05)nor increased rat uterine weig ht(P > 0.05).

  Conclusion   Benz(a)pyrene, 7, 12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene and pentacene had significant estrogenic effects.