Liver and Brain Nucleic Acids and Body Composition of Growing Rats Fed Dieldrin 1

Abstract

Summary

Liver and brain nucleic acid concentrations and carcass composition were studied in young growing rats fed 0, 1 and 5 ppm Dieldrin (HEOD). HEOD did not change body fat and protein concentrations after a 2 or 4 week feeding period. Growth rates, and liver and brain weights were not affected by the consumption of 1 and 5 ppm HEOD. Liver RNA and DNA concentrations were elevated in rats fed 1 and 5 ppm HEOD after a 2 week feeding period, but declined nearly to levels noted for weanling rats after a 4 week feeding peroid. The consumption of HEOD elevated brain RNA levels after 2 and 4 week feeding periods, but DNA was elevated only after a 4 week feeding period. Since interference in organ development results in a decline in tissue nucleic acid concentrations, these results indicate that 1 and 5 ppm HEOD do not affect overall liver and brain development in young growing rats.