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The effects of polychlorinated biphenyls on plasma steroid levels and hepatic microsomal enzymes in fish
Author(s) -
Sivarajah K.,
Franklin C. S.,
Williams W. P.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
journal of fish biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.672
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1095-8649
pISSN - 0022-1112
DOI - 10.1111/j.1095-8649.1978.tb03447.x
Subject(s) - medicine , microsome , endocrinology , biology , carp , enzyme , hormone , trout , testosterone (patch) , cytochrome , cytochrome b5 , biochemistry , fish <actinopterygii> , fishery
Aroclor 1254 was administered intraperitoneally (25 mg kg body wt −1 in 1 ml of arachis oil) at weekly intervals for 4 weeks to trout and carp; arachis oil was used as the control. Activities of the following hepatic microsomal enzymes, aminopyrine demethylase, p‐nitroreductase, UDP‐glucuronyl‐transferase and 1‐leucyl‐β‐naphthylamide splitting enzyme were measured in both species; cytochrome P 450 and microsomal protein contents were also determined. The changes in the levels of androgens, oestrogens and corticoid hormones were measured in the circulating blood of control and treated groups at weekly intervals. The blood was obtained by cardiac puncture. Results indicated (a) a significant increase in the activities of all the enzymes measured except 1‐leucyl‐β‐naphthylamide splitting enzyme, (b) cytochrome P 450 and microsomal protein contents were increased in trout, but not in carp, (c) a significant reduction in the plasma levels of androgens, oestrogens and corticoids in the treated groups, particularly at the end of the fourth week and (d) there was a correlation between increased enzyme activities and a decrease in plasma hormone levels.