Comparative toxicity of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in four (sub)strains of adult male rats.

Four (sub)strains of adult male rats were given single oral doses of various concentrations of TCDD to establish and compare the oral 30-day LD50 values. The strains of rats were Fischer (F/334N) supplied by Harlan Industries, Frederick Cancer Research Center, and Charles River Breeding Laboratories; and CD supplied by Charles River Breeding Laboratories. The Charles River/Fischer rats were most sensitive to TCDD (LD50 = 164, 95% confidence limits 104-217 micrograms/kg), the Frederick/Fischer and Charles River/CD rats were moderately sensitive to TCDD (LD50 = 303, 250-360; and 297, 240-360 micrograms/kg, respectively), and the Harlan/Fischer rats were most resistant to TCDD (LD50 = 340, 281-409 micrograms/kg). The mean times of death were from 24.5 +/- 1.0 to 28.3 +/- 0.5 days and the percentage body weight loss at death was 37.4 +/- 1.2 to 42.7 +/- 1.3%. One week after exposure of the Charles River/Fischer animal to 45 micrograms TCDD/kg (1/4 the established 30-day LD50 dose), the same serum profile was induced as previously observed in the Harlan/Fischer rat, which includes hypoglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and hypercholesterolemia. These results emphasize the importance of indicating the precise dose, strain of rat, and time after dosing before termination in reporting the effects of TCDD on a particular biological response.