Effects of acrylonitrile on rat liver cytochrome P-450, benzo(a)pyrene metabolism and serum hormone levels.

Intraperitoneal injections of acrylonitrile (AN), 33 mg/kg, into male rats daily for 3 consecutive days resulted in a 20% decrease in the liver microsomal content of cytochrome P-450. The in vitro formation of 9-hydroxy and 9,10-dihydrodiol metabolites of benzo(a)pyrene in liver microsomes was inhibited. Serum corticosterone levels were markedly decreased (30% of th values for control animals) demonstrating a disturbed pituitary-adrenal axis. A central effect of AN is supported by the finding that prolactin concentrations fell by approximately 60% in exposed animals. AN also induced a doubling FSH levels, whereas LH concentrations were the same as in the control animals. These results suggest an impaired spermatogenesis in the exposed animals.