Abstract
The tissue distribution of the α-, β- and γ-isomers of 14C-labelled hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) in pregnant mice was studied by whole-body and light microscopic autoradiography. The results showed that α-, β- and γ-HCH are taken up and retained in adult and foetal surface epithelia to varying degrees. Autoradiography of organic-solvent extracted tissue sections of nonpregnant mice given γ-HCH (lindane) demonstrated that a high level of tissue-bound radioactivity was present in the tracheobronchial epithelium, the subepithelial glands in the olfactory mucosa, the squamous epithelia of the tongue, oesophagus, forestomach and vagina, the inner zone of the adrenal cortex, and the liver. Autoradiography of freeze-dried sections of pregnant mice given α- or β-HCH showed preferential localization of radioactivity in the nasal and tracheobronchial epithelia after administration of both isomers, whereas localization of radioactivity in the epithelia of the tongue and oesophagus was only observed after administration of α-HCH. The results suggest that the localization of HCH isomers and/or their metabolites in the epithelial linings is regulated by factors that are highly substrate specific.
Published Version
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