Differential effects of 3,4,5,3',4',5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (HCB) on interrenal steroidogenesis in male and female rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss.

1. The conversion of progesterone to 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone (17 alpha-OHP), 11-deoxycortisol (11-DOCR) and deoxycorticosterone (DOC) was significantly higher in female rainbow trout than in male trout; in contrast, the interrenal production of cortisol (CR) plus cortisone (CN) was higher in males than in females. 2. Following treatment with 1 mg/kg of HCB, the interrenal conversion of progesterone to 17 alpha-OHP and 11-DOCR was significantly increased in male and female trout but at 20 mg/kg of HCB, the production of these metabolites was increased in males and decreased in females; CR+CN production was unchanged after HCB treatment in both sexes.