Barbiturate-induced sleeping times, liver weights, and reproduction of cottontail rabbits after mirex ingestion.

Abstract

Captive female cottontail rabbits on two nutritional regimes were fed 20 or 26.6 ppm Mirex for 8 weeks after which they were removed from treatment for 3 weeks and mated to untreated males. A nonsignificant decrease in feed consumption was observed in Mirex-treated rabbits. Mirex treatment did not significantly affect reproduction. Sodium pentobarbital-induced sleeping times measured after the rabbits had been on treatment for 8 weeks and again after treatment had ceased for 3 weeks were significantly shorter for Mirex-treated rabbits. Liver weights were significantly greater in the Mirex-treated rabbits. These results indicate that hepatic microsomal enzyme activity was increased due to Mirex exposure. Furthermore, since the effects were observed after Mirex treatment had ceased, it appears that Mirex was stored in adipose tissue and later released as fat reserves were mobilized. Brain residues of Mirex were significantly greater in Mirex-treated rabbits.