Hexachlorobenzene II. Effects on growing lambs of prolonged low-level oral exposure to hexachlorobenzene (HCB).

Fifty growing male (castrated) lambs were exposed to hexachlorobenzene in the diet at levels of 0, 0.01, 0.1 and 1.0 ppm for 90 days. They were then moved to clean quarters and the study continued for an additional 210 days. Growth rates, certain plasma enzyme activities and hepatic microsomal enzyme activities were studied to detect subclinical effects related to the exposure. A 19-day acute exposure at 100 ppm was done and the same parameters except for growth rate, measured. Hematocrit and plasma protein concentrations were also monitored. No significant changes were seen in the growth rates (90 days exposure), in the plasma enzymes alkaline phosphatase, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase or succinic dehydrogenase, or in the hematocrit or plasma protein concentrations after either the 90-day or 19-day exposures. However, in vivo metabolism of antipyrine was increased in both the 1.0 ppm (90-day) and the 100 ppm (19-day), but was significantly increased (p less than 0.01) in only the 100-ppm exposure. Additionally, hepatic microsomal N-demethylase was increased significantly by the 90-day exposure at 1.0 ppm and the 19-day exposure at 100 ppm, but the hepatic microsomal O-demethylase was significantly increased only after the 1.0-ppm exposure. Histopathologic examination of tissues (brain, lung, myocardium, large and small intestines, liver, kidneys, adrenals, mesenteric lymph nodes) collected from animals sacrificed at 90 days and at the termination of the study (300 days) revealed no lesions suggestive of harmful HCB exposure.