Tissue distribution of polychlorinated biphenyls (Aroclor 1254) in cockerels: relation to the duration of exposure and observations on pathology.

Day old cockerels were given a ration containing 500 ppm of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) as Aroclor 1254. Mortality was recorded and various tissues analyzed for PCB levels. Tissue concentrations of PCB increased in direct relation with the time of the experiment and with the survival period of birds. The PCB ratios between liver, kidney and muscle to that in the brain were constant through the duration of the study. Pathological examination revealed extensive hydropericardium and edema in the lung, muscle and subcutis; hemorrhages in muscles, digestive tract, lung and kidney; myocarditis; kidney and liver necrosis and hepatitis.