Urinary and biliary metabolites of phenanthrene in the coalfish (Pollachius virens).

Metabolites present in the urine and bile of coalfish (Pollachius virens) 48 hrs after the intragastric administration of phenanthrene (75 mg/kg) were studied. Using gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric methods small amounts of unchanged compound, all five of the possible monohydroxy derivatives and the 1,2- and 9,10-dihydrodiols of phenanthrene were identified inthese samples. The major metabolite detected was phenanthrene-1,2-dihydrodiol which was excreted mainly as glucuronide and/or sulfate conjugates.