Drug metabolism in adult white leghorn hens--response to enzyme inducers.

1. Adult hens were given a mixture of polychlorinated biphenyls (0.5 and 2 g/kg Aroclor 1254), 3-methylcholanthrene (80 mg/kg) or beta-napthoflavone (80 mg/kg). 2. beta-Napthoflavone elevated activities of both microsomal and nonmicrosomal enzymes 48 hr after dosing, with cytochrome P-450 p-nitroanisole O-demethylase, aniline hydroxylase, and glutathione S-epoxytransferase at 319% +/- 25, 157% +/- 12, 410% +/- 26 and 120% +/- 3 of control values, respectively. 3. Aroclor 1254 and 3-methylcholanthrane also elevated microsomal enzyme activities, but did not increase the activity of glutathione S-epoxytransferase. 4. Drug metabolizing capability in control and experimental hens differed from that in rats and mice.