Metabolism of Single and Combined Doses of 14 C-Aldrin and 3 H- p , p ′-DDT by Atlantic Salmon ( Salmo salar ) Fry

• Published in: Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada
• Main Authors: Addison, R. F., Zinck, M. E., Leahy, J. R.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1976
• Subjects: General Medicine; Atlantic salmon; Salmo salar
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/f76-256; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/f76-256

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) fry were injected intramuscularly with 3 H-p,p′-DDT and 14 C-aldrin either alone or as a mixture at concentrations similar to those found in "naturally" contaminated fish; their rates of metabolism and clearance were then compared 3 H-p,p′-DDT was cleared slowly from the fish: approximately 60% of the injected material remained 8 wk after injection. 14 C-aldrin was cleared much more rapidly, only 55% of the injected material remaining in the fish 1 day after injection and less than 10% remaining at the end of the experiment 3 H-p,p′-DDT was dehydrochlorinated to p,p′-DDE; assuming an exponential rate of conversion, its half-life was 60 days. In contrast, 50% of the aldrin residues in the fish were epoxidized to dieldrin within 2 days. No interactions between the insecticides were observed although aldrin apparently induced a slight increase in the fraction of total body weight accounted for by liver.