US EPA

1239438 

Journal Article 

Metabolism and distribution of DDT in mouse in relation to poisoning symptoms 

Gupta, B; Agarwal, HC 

1974 

Yes 

Indian Journal of Experimental Biology
ISSN: 0019-5189
EISSN: 0975-1009 

NIOSH/00159869 

12 

5 

402-405 

English 

4448491 

The metabolism of DDT (50293) and its distribution in tissues of the mouse were related to toxicity symptoms. Male Swiss-Albino-mice were given a single dose of 1,400 milligrams per kilogram DDT subcutaneously. DDT metabolites were extracted, separated and identified from tissue homogenates prepared when animals were killed at 24 and 48 hours. For distribution studies, animals were observed for symptoms of toxicity and were grouped according to severity, including a category for recovered animals. Some animals were killed at each stage of poisoning and the DDT contents of brain, spinal cord, liver, kidney, and adipose tissue were determined. DDT determinations were by thin layer and gas chromatography in both studies. The major metabolite in almost all tissues was p,p'-DDE (72559). In the liver TDE (72548) was detected. DDT concentrations in the tissues increased with time and severity of poisoning symptoms. The brain and the spinal cord contained the lowest amounts of DDT, 11.4 and 12.3 ppm respectively, when the mice showed no symptoms. This increased to 61.8 and 68.6 ppm when the mice were dead and declined to 14.7 and 26.0 ppm respectively in the mice which recovered almost completely. In adipose tissue the DDT concentration increased steadily and was maximal in mice which recovered. The authors conclude that symptoms of toxicity are directly related to the concentration of DDT in the brain and spinal cord but not to concentrations in other tissues including the liver, kidney, and fat.