Urinary and Biliary Metabolites of Phenanthrene in the Coalfish (Pollachius virens)

Abstract

Metabolites present in the urine and bile of coalfish (P. virens) 48 h after the intragastric administration of phenanthrene [a crude oil constituent] and environmental pollutant (75 mg/kg) were studied. Using gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric methods, small amounts of unchanged compound, all 5 of the possible monohydroxy derivatives and the 1,2- and 9,10-dihydrodiols of phenanthrene were identified in these samples. The major metabolite detected was phenanthrene-1,2-dihydrodiol, which was excreted mainly as glucuronide and/or sulfate conjugates.