Distribution of 2,2(1),4,4(1),5,5(1)-hexachlorobiphenyl in mice and Chinese hamsters: dose dependent accumulation in the mouse bronchial mucosa.

The distribution of 2,2(1),4,4(1),5,5(1)-hexachlorobiphenyl-14C was studied in mice and Chinese Hamsters using whole body autoradiography and liquid scintillation counting. The mice exhibited a strong and persistent accumulation of radioactivity in the bronchial mucosa, and this accumulation was not fully developed until about 24 hours after an intravenous injection. The labelled substance passed to the fetuses of pregnant mice and was also concentrated in the fetal bronchi. Mice pretreated with a large dose of unlabelled PCB per os in peanut oil showed a completely different distribution pattern in the lungs--only traces of label being taken up by the bronchi. Quantitative measurements revealed a concomitant reduction of the total radioactivity retained by the lungs. Except for the lungs, however, no major differences in the distribution pattern were found at the various dose levels. The distribution in the Chinese hamsters equaled approximately that of the mice, but a very weak accumulation of label was observed in the hamster bronchi. The radioactivity in the mouse bronchi was considered as perhaps representing metabolized PCB.