Newly Discovered Mechanism for Chlorpyrifos Effects on Neurodevelopment

Study Examines Epigenetic Effects of Fungicide Exposure A mother’s environmental exposure can result in transgenerational effects that are inherited through successive generations, even in the absence of exposure of the offspring. A new proof-of-principle study reports that great-grandchildren of rats exposed to the common fungicide vinclozolin showed a more profound behavioral and neurodevelopmental response to stress, compared with offspring of unexposed rats. Following exposure to stressful situations during adolescence, ancestrally exposed rats were heavier, more anxious, and less sociable than unexposed offspring.