Toxicological assessment of chlorinated diphenyl ethers in the rat.

Chlorinated diphenyl ethers are environmental contaminants that have been found in Great Lakes fish and birds. Because of their presence in the food chain, and potential for human exposure, the present short-term study was conducted to assess their toxicity. Groups of 10 male and 10 female rats were each given by gavage 2,2',4,4'6-pentachlorodiphenyl ether (CDE1), 2,2',4,4',5,6-hexachlorodiphenyl ether (CDE2) or 2,2',3,3',4,6'-hexachlorodiphenyl ether (CDE3) at dose levels of 0.04, 0.4, 4.0 or 40 mg/kg b.w./day for a period of 28 days. The control group received an equivalent volume of corn oil only (0.5 ml/100 g b.w.). Treatment with the three CDE congeners did not result in suppression of growth rate or food consumption. Increased liver weights were seen in the animals of both sexes fed 40 mg/kg CDE2, in males treated with 40 mg/kg CDE1, and in females with 40 mg/kg CDE3. Hepatic microsomal aminopyrine demethylase activity was significantly higher in the male rats administered 40 mg/kg CDE2, and aniline hydroxylase activity was elevated in the females following the same treatment. Serum glucose, calcium, protein and urea nitrogen of CDE1-treated males were higher than the control. Levels of uric acid, potassium and LDH of CDE3-treated females were also elevated. No hematological changes were observed. Histological examination revealed that the liver and thyroid were the target organs affected by CDE treatment but the morphological changes were mild even at the highest dose level. Changes in the liver consisted of nuclear vesiculation and increased cytoplasmic volume. Alterations in the thyroid were characterized by increased epithelial height and follicular collapse. Based on the data presented above, the 3 CDE congeners can only be considered moderately toxic in the rat.