The effects of 1,1-di(p-chlorophenyl)-2-chloroethylene on plasma enzymes and blood constituents in the Japanese quail.

Glutamate oxaloacetate transminase (GOT), glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH), pseudo-cholinesterase (ChE) and various blood constituents were measured in the plasma of Japanese quail fed 1,1-di(p-chlorophenyl)-2-chloroethylene (DDMU) at low levels for periods ranging from 2 to 32 days. Previous work has shown that DDMU is a potent inducer of hepatic microsomal enzymes causing marked structural changes in the liver. A rapid increase in plasma GOT was observed within 4 days accompanied by an increase in relative liver weight. Plasma GDH and SDH increased to a maximum between 16 and 24 dyas which seems to be associated with hepatic cell proliferation. Plasma ChE showed a steady increase over the time course of DDMU administration. The level of plasma lipid was reduced after 4 days whereas the hepatic lipid content was substantially increased suggesting that the fatty liver condition may be caused by decreased release of triglyceride from the liver. Plasma glucose was reduced at 8 days but there was no evidence of a hyperglycaemic state. The changes noted after 2 days of DDMU diet were confirmed by measurements on birds 18 h after oral dosing the DDMU. The study demonstrates the value of plasma enzyme measurements for the early detection of toxic effects and indicates that DDMU administration leads to extrahepatic effects in addition to those previously described in the liver.