Weak estrogenic activity of lindane in rats.

Administration of lindane (20 mg/kg . d) for 30 d to ovariectomized rats caused no significant change in the weight of the uterus, cervix, or vagina. Histological changes in these organs were comparable to those in ovariectomized control rats. Treatment with estradiol dipropionate alone and in combination with lindane induced a significant increase in the weights of these organs. Microscopically, these organs appeared normal. Lindane induced a significant increase in the glycogen content of the uterus, cervix, and vagina of ovariectomized rats compared to ovariectomized control rats, whereas a two- to fourfold increase in glycogen was observed in ovariectomized rats treated with estradiol dipropionate or estradiol dipropionate plus lindane. There was a significant increase in total erythrocytes and hemoglobin in ovariectomized rats treated with lindane, estradiol dipropionate, or lindane plus estradiol dipropionate. An increase in neutrophils with a corresponding decrease in lymphocytes was also observed in rats treated with lindane or lindane plus estradiol dipropionate.