The urinary partition of sulphur in rats treated with aromatic hydrocarbons, with special reference to growth retardation

Abstract

Rats were injected intraperitoneally with 1 ml. of arachis oil in which the hydrocarbons were dissolved or suspended. Urinary sulfur partition was detd. by a modified volumetric benzidine method. Decreased excretion of inorganic sulfate was effected after injn. of all 9 hydrocarbons. Pyrene, phenanthrene, benzene, and naphthalene effected an increase in ethereal sulfur, while the other 5 hydrocarbons showed little effect. Naphthalene showed a considerable increase in neutral sulfur; pyrene, phenanthrene, and anthracene, a slight increase; and benzene and 34 benzpyrene, a decrease. Chrysene, 1:2-benzanthraeene, and 1:2:5:6 dibenzanthracene showed very little effect on neutral sulfur excretion. Rate of growth was not affected by benzene and naphthalene; slightly decreased by anthracene and l:2-benzanthracene; inhibited by 3:4 benzpyrene and 1:2:5:6 dibenzanthracene; and was temporarily retarded by the other 4 hydrocarbons.