Liver mixed function oxidases in chickens: induction by polychlorinated biphenyls and lack of induction by DDT.

Microsomal hydroxylase and demethylase activities were compared in livers from White Leghorn cockerels fed polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) containing 21 to 68% chlorine, or p,p'-DDT. The higher chlorinated PCBs, Aroclor 1254 and 1268, were potent inducers of hepatic enzyme activity while DDT did not induce these enzymes. Aroclor 1254 was the most potent inducer because feeding 5 ppm increased liver aminopyrine demethylase activity 1.5X but did not affect liver weight. Feeding 50 and 500 ppm of Aroclor 1254 and 1268 increased liver weight and demethylase activity per mg of protein. A differential response in the two enzymes occurred. Only 500 ppm of Aroclor 1268 increased hydroxylase activity. Aroclor 1242 had no effect on liver enzyme concentration but 50 and 500 ppm of Aroclor 1242 increased liver weights and consequently increased total enzyme activity. Our data demonstrated that in the avian species DDT and PCB did not have the same effect on hepatic microsomal enzyme activity.