Ingested polychlorinated biphenyl Aroclor 1242 and growth, calcium and zinic absorption, and intestinal ultrastructure in chicks.

Decreased growth, edema, labored breathing, internal hemorrhaging, and high mortality were seen in chicks fed 48 or 197 p.p.m. Aroclor 1242 for 7 weeks. Calcium absorption was increased when birds were fed 197 p.p.m. PCB while zinic absorption was increased in birds fed both levels of PCB. Duodenal mucosal cell respiration rates were unaffected by either PCB treatment. Upon ultrastructural examination, mitochondrial alterations, lipid accumulations in the lamina propriae, edema, and swollen endoplasmic reticula were found in duodenal mucosal cells. Necrotic areas were found in the kidney proximal tubule region of PCB fed birds.