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63579 
Journal Article 
Effect of insecticides on rat liver regeneration 
Gershbein, LL 
1970 
1 
Research Communications in Molecular Pathology and Pharmacology
ISSN: 1078-0297 
NIOSH/00146930 
1 
6 
740-748 
English 
5524274 
The effect of insecticides on liver regeneration was studied in Holtzman-rats and Charles-River-rats. The insecticides 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane (50293) (DDT) methoxychlor (72435), aldrin (309002), dieldrin (60571), and heptachlor (76448) were fed to partially hepatectomized animals over a period of 10 days. The excised portions were dried to constant weight at 100 degrees-C. Male Holtzman-rats were fed DDT at 150 parts per million (ppm), and aldrin, dieldrin, and heptachlor at 50ppm. Male Charles-River-rats were fed DDT at 75 and 150ppm and the DDT metabolite, 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene (72559) (DDE), at 200ppm. Female Holtzman-rats were fed DDT at 225ppm. Intact rats of either sex were fed control rations. The feeding of DDT to male rats of either strain at 150ppm resulted in a significant rise in the liver increment over a period of 10 days. The extent of liver regeneration was not affected by methoxychlor at 200ppm, or by diets containing 50ppm of aldrin, dieldrin, or heptachlor. Liver regeneration was stimulated in males fed DDE at 200ppm. The action of this metabolite was not as marked as that of DDT. In females the liver increment was not influenced by the feeding of DDT or DDE at 225ppm. The author concludes that the findings are not due to differences in the quantity of ration consumed but to a difference in activity by sex of the animals. The sex difference may reside in the rate of metabolism and the extent of deposition of the insecticide in the fat depots.