Microsomal epoxidation in Japanese quail: Induction by dietary dieldrin

Abstract

1. 1. Dieldrin, fed at 5 ppm without toxicity to week-old Japanese quail chicks, effectively increases aldrin epoxidase activity of hepatic microsomes, but does not affect cytochrome P-140 or NADPH-neotetrazolium reductase levels. 2. 2. Levels of epoxidase, P-450 and neotetrazolium reductase do not vary significantly between three strains of quail or between the sexes. 3. 3. Epoxidase activity declines with age, whereas P-450 levels increase in maturing chicks. 4. 4. DDT, fed at 100 ppm for several months, causes depression of hepatic microsomal activities in mature quail. Ring-necked pheasants from a DDT-treated area are similarly affected.