THE EFFECT OF DDT ON THE LIVER CARBOXYLESTERASE AND VITAMIN A UTILIZATION OF MOTHER RATS AND THEIR YOUNG

Abstract

Dichlorodiphenyltrichloro-methane (DDT) (100 ppm ) was added to the diet of female rats that were then bred to males receiving the same diet. Liver carboxylesterase and liver and kidney vitamin A levels were measured in the dams and their young at parturition and at weaning. DDT did not have any adverse effect on the breeding performance of the adults or on the vitamin A stores of the newborn or weanling rats. Vitamin A stores of the dams were reduced by the pesticide. Liver carboxylesterase increased greatly between birth and weaning and remained almost constant thereafter. DDT caused a marked increase in liver carbosylesterase over and above that which occurred during growth.