METABOLISM OF 2,2, - BIS (P-CHLOROPHENYL)-1, 1-DICHLOROETHYLENE (DDE) BY THE BOVINE.

Abstract

Twelve lactating Holstein dairy cows were randomly divided into four groups of three animals each. Group A served as the control, group B was dosed at 0.05ppm/day of DDE (2,2-bis(P-chlorophenyl-1, 1-dichloroethylene), cows in group C were dosed at 0.1ppm DDE/day, while group D cows were dosed at 1.0ppm DDE/day. DDE was administered in a residue free peanut oil solution for 32-consecutive days. Milk samples were taken daily during the 32 day dosing period and for an additional 32 days after the dosing period. Quantitative analysis of DDE residue in milk fat was determined by using a Tracor MT-220 gas chromatograph with a Tritium electron capture detector. The average increase in DDE milk fat concentration during the dosing period was directly related to intake levels. DDE was the only organochlorine compound detected in the milk fat. The general slope and shape of the curves of milk fat DDE levels were similar for all treatments. The levels of DDE increased rapidly after the onset of dosing. After 15 days of dosing and throughout the remaining 17 days of the dosing period, milk fat DDE increased at a relatively slow rate. The level of milk fat DDE declined rapidly as soon as the DDE residue source was withdrawn. At the end of the 32-day post-dosing period, one cow from each group was slaughtered and samples were taken from muscles, brain, lung, lymph, spleen, kidney fat, heart, gonad, placenta, udder, and kidney for DDE analysis. Considerable DDE was found in the muscle, lymph, kidney fat, and udder tissues.