A comparison of avian and rodent S-9 liver homogenates in the Ames test.

Avian S-9 liver homogenates were obtained from phenobarbital, 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC), polychlorinated biphenyl (Aroclor 1254) induced and control chickens. These homogenates were tested for their capacity to metabolically activate benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and cyclo-phosphamide in the Salmonella typhimurium assay. Liver homogenates from 3-MC, Aroclor 1254 and phenobarbital induced chickens were more active in converting B[a]P to its ultimate mutagenic form than was S-9 obtained from Aroclor 1254 induced rats. However, Aroclor 1254 induced rat S-9 was superior to Aroclor 1254 induced avian S-9 in metabolically activating cyclophosphamide.