Metabolism of 1-(0-chlorophenyl)-1-(p-chlorophenyl)-2,2-dichloroethane (o,p'-DDD) in rats.

The metabolism of 14C-labeled 1-(p-chlorophenyl)-2,2-dichloroethane (o,p'-DDD) in rats was investigated. Metabolites were identified in feces and urine extracts by thin-layter chromatography (TLC), gas-liquid chromatography, and mass spectropmetry. Extracts of acidic metabolites were methylated with diazomethane for identification. Metabolites were quantitated by TLC and liquid scintillation counting. After a 100-mg oral dose to each of three rats, an average of 7.1% of the radioactivity was excreted in the urine and 87.8% in the feces within 8 days. The urine was found to contain o,p'-dichlorodiphenylacetic acid (o,p'-DDA) as well as 4-hydroxy-, 3-hydroxy-, and 3,4-dihydroxy-substituted o,p'-DDA. The serine and glycine conjugates of o,p'-DDA were also identified. In addition to the above metabolites the feces contained o,p'-DDD. 1-(o-chlorophenyl)-1-(P-chlorophenyl)-2-chloroethylene, and the aspartic acid conjugate of o,p'-DDA. The presence of aromatic mono- and dihydroxylated o,p'-DDD was also detected in feces.