METABOLISM OF 1,1-DI(P-CHLOROPHENYL)-2,2,2-TRICHLOROETHANE AND 1,1-DI(P-CHLOROPHENYL)-2,2-DICHLOROETHANE IN PIGEON

Pigeons have been fed diets containing 1000 ppm of the halogenated hydrocarbons, 1,1-di(p-chlorophenyl)-2,2,2-trichloroethane (DDT) and 1,1-di(p-chlorophenyl)-2,2-dichloroethane (DDD) for 24 days. None of the birds fed either chemical died during the course of the experiment. Residues of these compounds and their metabolites were measured at intervals after the cessation of feeding and the results were treated statistically to determine rates of elimination or change from seven tissues. DDT was shown to be eliminated from all tissues at the same rate (half-life 28 days) and gave rise to DDE and DDD by separate pathways. DDD was shown to be eliminated from all tissues at a similar rate (half-life 24 days) and gave rise mainly to DDMU together with a very small amount of DDE. Large increases in average liver weights were noted in birds fed DDT. With the DDD-fed birds the increase in liver weight was very slight. © 1969.