Investigation of selected toxicological parameters of gamma-pentachlorocyclohexene (gamma-PCCH).

The toxic effects of the gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane metabolite gamma-pentachlorocyclohexene (gamma-PCCH) were studied by acute and subacute (6 weeks) experiments. The investigations included cerebral convulsibility with chemoshock (Tetrazolium), reactivity with hot plate method, the learning ability with learning tests, and peripheral nervous activity (EMG). Nociceptive reaction time was not influenced, the learning process (6 weeks) was inhibited by gamma-PCCH. The conduction velocity of the peripheral nerve was decreased. At the end of the 6th week liver enlargement was found.