INTRAUTERINE EXPOSURE TO POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS DISRUPTS THE HYPOTHALAMIC-PITUITARY-THYROID AXIS IN F1 GENERATION FEMALE RATS DURING ADULTHOOD THROUGH EPIGENETIC MECHANISMS

Introduction: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are flame retardants that are lipophilic and highly persistent, widely used as lubricants in the industry and electronic devices in the past. Thyroid function alterations have been observed in response to PCB exposure, but the effects of these endocrine disruptors in the programming of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis function have never been reported.